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MEMOIRS 

OF 


GENERAL    LA   FAYETTE, 

EMBRACING 

DETAILS  OF  HIS 

PUBLIC  AND  PRIVATE  LIFE, 

SKETCHES  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION, 
THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION,  THE  DOWN- 
FALL OF  BONAPARTE,  AND  THE 

RESTORATION    OF    THE    BOURBONS. 

WITH 

Ufosrajjfucal  Motittn 

OF  INDIVIDUALS,  WHO  HAVE  BEEN 

DISTINGUISHED  ACTORS 

IN  THESE  EVENTS. 


NEW  YORK, 

PUBLISHED    BY    RUSSELL     ROBINS. 


1825. 


DISTRICT  OF  CONNECTICUT,  u. 

Be  it  remembered,  That  on  the  First  day  of  Febru- 
L.  S.  ary,  in  the  forty-ninth  year  of  the  Independence  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  Barber  and  Robinson  of  the  said 
District,  have  deposited  in  this  office  the  title  of  a  book,  the 
right  whereof  they  claim  as  proprietors,  in  the  words  following-, 
to  wit:  "■  Memoirs  of  General  La  Fayette,  embracing  details 
of  his  public  and  private  life,  sketches  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution, the  French  Revolution,  the  downfall  of  Bonaparte,  and 
the  restoration  of  the  Bourbons,  with  Biographical  notices  of 
individuals  who  have  been  distinguished  actors  in  these  events." 
In  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
entitled,  "  Aji  act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  secu- 
ring the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  and 
proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned." 
CHAS.  A.  INGERSOLL. 

Clerk  of  the  District  of  Connecticut. 
A  true  copy  of  Record,  examined  and  sealed  by  me, 
CHAS.  A.  INGERSOLL, 

Clerk  of  the  District  of  Connecticut. 


PREFACE. 

THE  present  volume,  though  necessarily  compiled  in 
great  haste,  it  is  hoped  will  be  found  to  comprise  all  that  is 
necessary  to  enable  the  reader  to  form  a  just  estimate  of  the 
Life  and  Character  of  General  La  Fayette.  It  was  the 
opinion  of  the  writer,  that  a  bare  detail  of  his  actions,  with- 
out bringing  into  view  the  circumstances  under  which  they 
were  performed,  or  the  persons  with  whom  he  was  associ- 
ated, or  to  whom  he  was  opposed,  could  not  present  any  ad- 
equate grounds  upon  which  to  form  an  opinion  of  a  charac- 
er,  who  has  been  so  conspicuous  in  the  great  movements  of 
the  last  half  century.  It  is  obvious  that  the  elevation  of  La 
Fayette's  conduct  in  embracing  the  American  cause,  cannot 
be  properly  felt,  unless  we  take  into  consideration  the  rea,l 
state  of  the  American  struggle  at  the  time — that  we  cannot 
comprehend  the  dignity  with  which  he  marched  through  the 
French  Revolution,  unless  we  are  apprised  of  the  fearful 
convulsions  which  shook  every  thing  around  him — and  that 
we  cannot  assign  him  his  comparative  rank  among  the  great 
men  of  the  last  age,  without  recollecting  the  long  list  of 
mighty  names  which  have  figured  by  his  side.  The  writer 
has  therefore  hastily  sketched  the  great  public  events 
in  which  General  La  Fayette  has  been  concerned — and  in 
some  instances  has  gone  so  far  as  to  add  a  few  pages,  for  the 
sake  of  completeness,  not  directly  connected  with  his  Me- 
moirs. In  this  course  he  has,  perhaps,  in  some  instances, 
rather  consulted  what  he  apprehended  must  be  the  feeling 
and  interest  of  his  readers,  than  strict  rhetorical  symmetry. 


iy  PREFACE. 

Those  who  feel  that  in  this  he  has  not  judged  right,  and 
who  desire  simply  a  relation  of  events  with  which  General 
La  Fayette  has  been  directly  connected,  can,  by  adverting 
to  the  Contents,  select  those  portions  of  the  work  which  re- 
late to  his  personal  concerns. 

The  writer  has  also  extracted  from  Allen  and  Lempriere, 
and  others,  such  biographical  notices,  as,  according  to  his 
views,  were  desirable,  and  inserted  them  as  notes. 

Whatever  temptation  a  writer  may  feel  to  dilate  on  a  sub- 
ject so  fruitful  in  sources  of  reflection  as  this,  the  author  has 
deemed  it  best  in  the  present  instance  generally,  to  content 
himself  with  a  simple  relation  of  facts.  They  speak  a  lan- 
guage not  to  be  misunderstood,  and  bear  with  them  in  the 
mind  of  th^f  reader,  every  necessary  commentary.  The  pa- 
negyrist of  La  Fayette,  can  do  no  better  than  tell  what  he 
has  done. 

On  the  whole,  therefore,  it  is  hoped  that  the  work  may 
satisfy  the  reasonable  expectations  of  its  patrons,  and  not 
only  repay  them  by  the  interest  of  its  details,  but  contribute 
something  towards  doing  justice  to  one  of  the  most  interest- 
ing characters  of  this  or  of  any  other  age. 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  I.  Page  13 

Early  life  of  La  Fayette... His  marriage  and  fortune. 

CHAPTER  II.  15 

American  Revolution.. .Causes  which  led  to  it.. .Stamp  Act... 
British  troops  arrive  at  Boston... Hutchinson's  Letters. ..Tea 
thrown  overboard. 

CHAPTER  III.  27 

Commencement  of  the  war...  Battle  of  Lexington..  .Ticonderoga 
taken. ..Congress  meets... Battle  of  Bunker's  Hill. ..Boston 
evacuated  ..Expedition  to  Canada.. .Canada  evacuated  by  the 
Americans... Norfolk  burnt... British  fleet  arrives  at  Charles- 
ton, but  is  driven  from  the  harbor.. .Plot  to  sieze  Washington 
...Declaration  of  Independence..  Battle  of  Long  Island.  .The 
enemy  take  possession  of  New  York.. .Fort  Washington  taken 
...Gen.  Lee  taken... Battle  of  Trenton... British  fleet  taken  on 
Lake  Champlain... Battle  of  Danbury. 

CHAPTER  iVT"  90 

Arrival  of  La  Fayette... He  offers  to  serve  as  a  Volunteer... Con- 
gress commissions   him.. .Battle  of  Brandy  wine... La  Fayette 
wounded.. .Enemy  take  possession  of  Philadelphia... Battle  of  \ 
Germantown...La  Fayette  commands  a  select  corps... Battle  \j 
of  Red  Bank... American  army  at  Valley   Forge... Battle  of-^ 
Bennington.. .Burgoyne  taken... Starving  condition  of  Wash-    \ 
ington's  army. ..Proposed  expedition  to  Canada... Alliance  with 
France,  and  its  celebration  at  Valley  Forge. ..Narrow  escape   ; 
of  La  Fayette. ..Enemy  leaves  Philadelphia... Battle  of  Mon- 
mouth...Count  D'Estaiog  arrives  ;  he  refuses  his  assistance  at 
Rhode  Island. ..Sullivan  retires  from  Rhode  Island. ..La  Fay-  ; 
ette's  bravery.., Effects  of  Count  D'Estaing's  conduct... Sav-    ' 
age  conduct  of  Col.  Baylor.. .La  Fayette  goes  to  France.. .His 
conduct  there... Dr.  Franklin  presents  him  a  sword.. .His  re- 
turn to  America. 

CHAPTER  V.  148 

Campaigns  in  which  La  Fayette  was  particularly  distinguished... 


vi  CONTENTS. 

Siege  of  Savannah... Arrival  of  Rochambeau  with  the  French 
fleet.. Arnold's  treason.  .La  Fayette  marches  against  him... 
Defence  of  Virginia  committed  \o  La  Fayette. ..His  move- 
ments defeat  the  intention  of  Lord  Comwallis... He  follows 
Cornwallis... Skirmish  at  Jamestown... Corn wallis  retires.. .La 
Fayette  ordered  to  prevent  CornwallisKretreat.. .Count  de 
Grasse  arrives.. .Plan  to  take  Cornwallis. ..Siege  of  Yorktown, 
and  surrender  of  Cornwallis'  army. 

CHAPTER  VI.  178 

Departure  of  La  Fayette  for  France. ..Order  of  Congress  on  the 
subject  of  his  departure... Assists  Franklin  in  settling  the  treaty 
of  peace. 

CHAPTER   VII.  184 

La  Fayette  visits  America  in  1784. ..His  honourable  reception... 
Addresses  to  him,  and  his  replies... Prepares  to  return. ..Order 
of  Congress  that  a  member  from  each  state  should  meet  and 
take  leave  of  him...  His  departure. ..His  bust  placed  in  a  gal- 
lery at  Paris. 

CHAPTER  VIII.  196 

The  French  revolution.. .Louis  XVI.  ascends  the  throne.. .Low 
state  of  the  finances... Effect  of  the  capture  of  Burgoyne... 
Neckar  dismissed... Alarming  condition  of  France... States 
General  convoked... Parliament  dismissed  and  recalled. ..Na- 
tional Assembly..  Divisions  in  the  Assembly... La  Fayette 
proposes  a  bill  of  rights...  Proceedings  of  the  Assembly  create 
alarm... La  Fayette  appointed  commander  in  chief  of  the  Na- 
tional guards...  Mob  goto  Versailles...  Adolphus' account  of  La 
Fayette... Madame  de  Stael's  account... King  and  Assembly 
taken  to  Paris.. .La  Fayette  protects  the  Royal  family. ..He 
sends  the  Duke  of  Orleans  to  England...  Murder  of  the  baker 
...Robespierre's  speech.. .Decree  depriving  the  clergy  of  their 
estates. .The  Red  Book...  Preparation  for  the  Confederation... 
La  Fayette  commander  of  all  the  militia  of  France.. .He 
swears  to  the  constitution.. .Neckar  retires. ..King's  aunts  leave 
Paris..  Attack  on  Vincennes.  .King's  coach  stopped... La  Fay- 
ette resigns  ;  and  is  reappointed... Royal  family  escape  from 
Paris;  but  are  taken  and  brought  back... Their  inhuman 
treatment. ..Riot  at  the  Champ  de  Mars...  Death  of  Marat...  La 
Fayette  resigns,  and  retires  to  the  country,  but  is  recalled  to 
command  an  army... His  letter  to  the  Assembly... Goes  to 
Paris  ;  is  accused  and  a  price  set  on  his  head...  Attack  on  the 
palace... The  King  escapes.. .La  Fayette  escapes  from  the  ar- 
my ;  is  taken  and  confined  in  prison...  Washington  writes  to 


CONTENTS.  vii 

the  Emperor  of  Austria  on  his  account... Bollman's  attempt  to 
release  him. ..Debates  in  the  British  house  of  commons  on  La 
Fayette's  liberation... His  liberation. 

CHAPTER  IX.  334 

Progress  of  the  French  revolution. ..The  reign  of  terror  begins... 
Riot  at  the  Champ  de  Mars.  .Swiss  officers  and  the  Princess  de 
Larrbelle  murdered. ..King  and  Royal  family  imprisoned... 
Manner  in  which  they  spent  their  time. ..Cruel  abuse  of  the 
Royal  family.. .The  King  accused  and  brought  before  the  As- 
sembly...His  trial,  condemnation  and  execution. ..His  body 
destroyed  with  quicklime... The  Queen  imprisoned... Savage 
treatment  she  received. ..Her  trial  and  execution. ..Princess 
Elizabeth  executed,  with  twenty  four  other  persons... Decree 
of  Fraternity. ..The  allies  declare  war  against  France.. .Moun- 
tain faction  triumph  over  the  Gironde... Death  of  Robespierre 
...Buonaparte  takes  command  of  the  army. ..Battle  of  Lodi... 
Rome  taken  by  Buonaparte.. .He  sends  an  army  into  Switzer- 
land... Sails  for  Egypt... Battle  of  the  Nile.. .Buonaparte  returns 
to  Paris,  and  is  made  chief  consul. ..Battle  of  Marengo.. .War 
with  England. ..Coronation  of  Buonaparte. ..War  with  the  al- 
lies...Takes  Vienna. ..Battle  of  Austerlitz... Napoleon  takes 
Dantzick... Makes  peace  with  Russia... Sets  Joseph  on  the 
throne  of  Spain... Marries  Maria  Louisa.. .War  with  Russia... 
Battle  of  Smolensko..  Taking  of  Moscow..  Retreat  of  the 
French  army. ..All  Europe  at  War.. .Allies  approach  Paris... 
The  city  is  taken.. .Napoleon  retires.. .A  general  peace.. .Na- 
poleon again  appears. ..All  Europe  again  at  war... Battle  of 
Waterloo. 

CHAPTER  X.  415 

Conduct  of  La  Fayette  during  the  reign  of  Napoleon... Writes 
him  a  letter.. .Napoleon  refuses  to  promote  his  son. ..La  Fay- 
ette's speech  in  the  Assembly.. .He  retires  to  La  Grange.. .De- 
scription of  his  residence  and  habits. 

CHAPTER  XI.  430 

Arrival  of  La  Fayette  in  1824... His  reception  at  New  York... 
Feeling  of  the  Nation  towards  him. ..Act  of  Congress  granting 
him  money... Debates  on  the  subject. 


List  of  Names  of  whom  Biographical  Sketches  are  given. 


Gen.  Gage, 

Page  18 

Ethan  Allen, 

28 

Benedict  Arnold, 

30 

Gen.  Burgoyne, 
Gen.  Schuyler, 

35 

43 

Gen.  Montgomery, 

47 

Gen.  Lee, 

50 

Gen.  Thomas, 

54 

Gen.  Sullivan, 

56 

Gen.  Moultrie, 

60 

Gen.  Putnam, 

68 

Gen.  Lord  Stirling", 

72 

Gen.  Irvine, 

81 

Gen.  Mercer, 

83 

Gen.  Wooster, 

87 

Gen.  Greene, 

94 

Gen.  Stark, 

102 

Gen.  Morgan, 

105 

Gen.  Conway, 

HO 

Gen.  Baron  de  Kalb, 

114 

Lord  Howe, 

121 

Gen.  Clinton, 

f-21 

Gen.  Dickinson, 

126 

Gen.  Wayne, 

128 

Col.  Laurens, 

133 

Count  Pulaski, 

139 

Count  de  Vergennes, 

142 

Baron  Steuben, 

163 

Gen.  Knox, 

173 

Lord  Cornwallis, 

176 

Abbe  Sieyes, 

208 

Count  de  Mirabeau, 

234 

Duke  of  Orleans, 

238 

Bailly, 

240 

Robespierre, 

244 

Neckar, 

246 

Danton, 

257 

Barnave, 

269 

Condorcet, 

272 

Marat, 

276 

Charlotte  Corday, 

277 

Petion, 

280 

Brissot, 

292 

MEMOIRS 

OF 

GENERAL  LA  FAYETTE. 


CHAPTER  I. 


EARLY  LIFE  OF  LA  FAYETTE. 

The  subject  of  this  Memoir,  Gilbert  Mottie'  Mar- 
quis  de  La  Fayette,  was  born  on  the  6th  of  September, 
1757,  at  the  Chateau  de  Chavagnac.  This  Chateau 
is  situated  in  the  vicinity  of  Brioude,  in  the  province 
of  Auvergne,  now  the  department  of  the  Haute  Loire, 
about  400  miles  from  Paris. 

The  name,  La  Fayette,  has  long  been  associated 
with  the  military  and  literary  history  of  France. 
Marshal  de  La  Fayette,  one  of  the  ancestors  of  the 
present  General,  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
military  men  of  his  time,  in  France  ;  and  Marie  Made- 
line La  Fayette,  another  of  his  ancestors,  was  equally 
celebrated  for  her  literary  attainments.* 

*  Maria  Madeline,  countess  of  Fayette,  and  daughter  of 
Amyr  de  la  Vergne,  governor  of  Havre  de  Grace,  is  celebra- 
ted for  her  knowledge  of  literature  and  of  the  fi.,e  arts,  and 
her  intimacy  with  Rochefaucault  and  other  learned  men.  She 
died  in  1 693.  She  wrote  many  works,  which  are  still  much 
esteemed.  She  is  the  first,  says  Voltaire,  who  exhibited,  in 
her  romances,  the  manners  of  people  of  fashion,  in  a  graceful, 
easy  and  natural  way. — Lempriere. 

% 


MEMO    IRS  OF 


At  the  early  age  of  seven  years,  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  was  sent  to  the  College  of  Louis  le  Grand,  at 
Paris,  where  he  received  his  education.  He  was  af- 
terwards made  one  of  the  pages  of  the  Queen  of  France, 
and,  under  her  patronage,  rose  to  the  rank  of  a  com- 
.  ;y.  \  missioned  officer, — a  favour  conferred  only  on  the 
sons  of  noblemen. 

Jn  1774,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  was  married  to 
the  Countess  Anastasie  de  Noailles,  daughter  of  the 
Duke  de  Noaijles.  The  fortune  of  this  lady,  added  to 
his  own  patrimonial  estates,  increased  his  income  to 
about  40,000  annually;  an  immense  revenue  at  that 
period?  and  probably  equal  to  four  or  even  five  times 
the  present  value  of  that  sum. 

Thus  settled  in  life,  with  one  of  the  most  amiable 
and  affectionate  of  wives  ;  having  at  command  all  the 
enjoyments  which  rank  and  wealth  could  pBocure,  at 
a  time  when  the  gayest  court  in  Europe  was  rendered 
still  more  brilliant  by  the  then  recent  marriage  of 
Louis  XVI.  to  the  celebrated  Marie  Antoinette  ;  who 
could  have  conceived  that  an  inherent  love  of  liberty 
would  induce  him  to  quit  all  these  gratifications, 
to  risk  his  life,  and  spend  his  fortune,  in  the  defence  of 
a  people,  of  whom  he  knew  nothing,  except  that  they 
.were  struggling  for  liberty  and  independence  ? 


^£w^. 


LA  FAYETTE 


CHAPTER  II. 

AMERICAN  REVOLUTION.— CAUSES  WHICH  LED  TO  IT. 

At  this  period  of  La  Fayette's  life,  the  dawniag 
revolution  in  America  attracted  the  attention  of  Eu- 
rope. The  unusual  spectacle  of  feeble  colonies  calm- 
!y  resisting"  the  encroachments  of  royal  despotism, 
excited  sympathy  in  many  generous  breasts.  Among 
these,  was  that  of  a  youthful  courtier,  whose  mind, 
naturally  elevated,  was  at  once  roused  from  the  dreams 
of  courtly  honour,  and  was  ever  after  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  liberty.  This  was  La  Fayette  ; — we  need, 
therefore,  no  apology  for  introducing  a  sketch  of 
events,  so  interesting  in  themselves,  as  those  which 
respect  the  American  revolution  ;  and  which  seem  to 
have  exerted  a  controlling  influence  in  shaping  his  life 
and  character. 

After  the  peace  of  1 76 3  had  been  concluded  between 
England  and  France,  the  counsels  of  Mr.  Pitt,  (after- 
wards Lord  Chatham)  being  rejected,  Lord  Bute  and 
his  coadjutors  were  introduced  into  the  British  admin- 
istration, under  the  auspices  of  King  George  the  Third. 
A  new  system  of  colonial  government  was  then  con- 
templated, and  a  plan  for  raising  a  revenue  in  America 
was  brought  forward  by  Lord  George  Grenvilie,  then 
at  the  head  of  the  British  finances.  It  was  reported 
to  parliament,  and  approbated  by  that  body,  and  an 
act  was  accordingly  passed  for  this  purpose,  in  1'765, 
called  the  'Stamp  Act.'  By  this  act,  no  instrument, 
act,  or  treaty,  or  note  of  hand,  could  be  valid  in  law, 
unless  written  on  stamped  paper,  on  which  a  duty  was 
paid  to  the  government  ot  Great  Britain.  This  act 
received  the  royal  assent,  and  was  sent  over  to  the 
American  colonies,  and  ordered  to  be  put  in  execution 
by  ;  Stamp  officers,'  who  were  appointed  and  paid  by 
the  officers  of  the  British  government  residing  here. 


MEMOIRS  OF 


This  arbitrary  proceeding  not  only  subjected  the 
colonists  to  great  expense,  as  every  agreement  be- 
tween men  was  required  to  be  written  on  paper,  for 
which  a  duty  was  paid  ;  but  likewise,  to  delays  and 
inconveniences,  in  consequence  of  not  having  such 
paper  always  at  hand. 

The  colonists  immediately  opposed  the  execution  of 
this  act,  and  disallowed  the  right  of  Parliament  to  im- 
pose taxes  upon  them  without  their  consent,  and  while 
they  continued  unrepresented  in  Parliament ;  taxation 
and  representation,  in  their  view,  being  inseparably 
connected  by  the  British  constitution. 

The  oppressive  acts  of  the  British  Parliament  had 
been,  for  many  years,  a  cause  of  repeated  remonstran- 
ces from  the  colonists  ;  but  the  passage  of  the  Stamp 
Act  excited  feelings  of  the  utmost  indignation  and 
alarm.  Combinations  against  its  execution  were 
every  where  formed.  The  assembly  of  Virginia  im- 
mediately passed  resolutions,  declaring  that  no  power, 
except  that  Assembly,  had  a  right  to  tax  the  inhabit- 
ants of  their  colony.  The  Legislatures  of  several  of 
the  other  colonies,  passed  resolutions  similar  to  those 
of  Virginia.  At  the  same  time,  the  people  were  ex- 
horted to  unite  in  the  defence  of  their  liberty  and 
country,  and  the  stamp  officers  were,  almost  every 
where,  compelled  to  resign,  or  to  submit  to  ignominy 
or  insult.  A  petition  to  the  King,  and  a  memorial  to 
each  house  of  Parliament,  complaining  of  these  acts 
of  oppression,  was  signed  by  Commissioners  from  sev- 
eral of  the  colonies,  and  sent  to  England.  These 
were  drawn  up  in  such  a  manner  as  to  express  the  at- 
tachment which  the  colonists  felt  to  the  mother  coun- 
try; but  at  the  same  time  to  assert  their  rights  with 
firmness  and  energy. 

At  the  time  these  transactions  were  taking  place  in 
America,  the  question  of  colonial  taxation  was  warmly 
discussed  before  the  British  Parliament.  Mr.  Pitt,  in 
his  celebrated  speech  on  the  subject,  concluded  by 


LA  FAYETTE.  17 


recommending  to  the  house,  "that  the  stamp  act 
be  repealed,  absolutely,  totally  and  immediately  ;*' 
while  Lord  Grenville,  on  the  contrary,  contended, 
that  the  right  to  impose  taxation  was  the  prerogative 
of  the  sovereign  power,  and  that,  in  principle,  there 
was  no  distinction  between  external  and  internal  taxa- 
tion. A  majority  of  the  administration  concurred 
with  Mr.  Pitt,  and  the  stamp  act  was  repealed  in 
March,  1766. 

On  the  receipt  of  this  intelligence,  the  joy  that  was 
felt  universally  among  the  colonists,  was  unbounded. 
Still  there  were  other  grievances  experienced,  which 
excited  no  inconsiderable  dissatisfaction  ;  among 
which  was  an  act  of  Parliament  subjecting  the  colo- 
nists to  the  expense  of  providing  barracks,  and  other 
necessaries  for  his  majesty's  troops,  whenever  they 
were  within  the  limits  of  any  one  of  the  colonies. 
This  was  laying  a  tax  indirectly  on  the  inhabitants,  and 
was  considered  unjust,  and  therefore  not  binding  upon 
them.  When,  however,  a  body  of  troops,  under  the 
command  of  General  Gage,  arrived  at  New  York,  the 
Legislature  of  that  colony  deemed  it  proper,  so  far  to 
comply  with  the  requisition  of  the  act,  as  to  consider 
it  binding  only  when  the  troops  were  on  the  march, 
and  not  while  they  were  in  quarters.  In  consequence 
of  this  disobedience,  Parliament  passed  a  law,  prohib- 
iting the  governor  and  council  of  the  province  from 
passing  any  act,  until  the  requisition  of  said  Parlia- 
ment had  been  complied  with  in  every  respect. 

In  1763,  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  took 
into  consideration  several  acts  of  Parliament,  which 
had  been  sent  to  the  colony  during  their  recess.  From 
these  acts,  it  was  clearly  seen,  that  the  mother  country 
was  still  determined,  that  her  colonies  in  America 
should  submit  to  taxation.  The  Assembly  resolved  to 
oppose  the  execution  of  these  laws  to  the  utmost  of 
their  power,  and  addressed  a  circular  letter  to  all  the 
other  colonies,  stating  their  proceedings.     This  letter 


9  % 


W  MEMOIRS  OF 


was  well  received  by  the  other  colonies,  and  the  mea 
sures   of  Massachusetts  were  adopted  as  the  basis  of 
resolutions  by  the  other  assemblies. 

A  copy  of  the  Massachusetts  resolutions  having  beer, 
transmitted  to  England,  the  Earl  of  Hillsborough,  in 
reply,  declared  to  the  colony,  that  it  was  the  king's 
pleasure,  that  the  said  resolution?  should  be  rescinded. 
A  general  court  being  assembled,  the  question  was  put 
to  the  house,  whether  they  wouid  rescind  their  former 
resolutions,  agreeable  to  the  king's  pleasure  ;  and  it 
was  negatived,  by  a  majority  of  ninety-two  to  seven- 
teen. 

In  September,  of  this  year,  General  Gage*  arrived  in 

*  Thomas  Gage,  the  last  governor  of  Massachusetts,  ap- 
pointed by  the  king,  after  the  conquest  of  Canada,  in  1760, 
was  appointed  governor  of  Montreal.  At  the  departure  of 
Gen.  Amherst,  in  1763,  he  succeeded  him,  as  commander  in 
chief  of  his  majesty's  forces  in  America.  Being  considered 
as  the  most  proper  person  to  execute  the  parliamentary  laws, 
intended  to  subdue  the  rebelliou«  spirit,  which  had  manifest- 
ed itself  in  Massachusetts,  he  was  appointed  governor  of  that 
province,  and  arrived  at  Boston,  May  13,  1774.  He  was  a 
suitable  instrument  for  executing  the  purposes  of  a  tyrannical 
ministry  and  parliament.  Several  regiments  soon  followed 
him,  and  he  began  to  repair  the  fortifications  upon  Boston 
neck.  The  powdtr  in  the  arsenal  in  Charlestown  was  seiz- 
ed ;  detachments  were  sent  out  to  take  possession  of  the 
stores  in  Salem  and  Concord  ;  and  the  battle  of  Lexington 
became  the  signal  of  war.  In  May,  1775,  the  provincial 
Congress  of  Massachusetts  declared  Gen.  Gage  to  be  an 
inveterate  enemy  of  the  country,  disqualified  from  serving 
the  colony  as  governor,  and  unworthy  of  obedience.  From 
this  time,  the  exercise  of  his  functions  was  confined  to  Bos- 
ton. In  June,  he  issued  a  proclamation,  offering  pardon  to 
all  the  rebels,  excepting  Samuel  Adams  and  John  Hancock, 
and  ordered  the  use  of  the  martial  law.  But  the  affair  of 
Bunker's  hill,  a  few  days  afterwards,  proved  to  him  that  he 
had  mistaken  the  character  of  the  Americans.     In  October; 


LA  FAYETTE. 


Boston,  with  two  regiments  of  British  soldiers.  The 
troops  were  landed  under  cover  of  two  ships  of  war, 
and  were  quartered  in  the  State  House,  which  was 
guarded  with  two  pieces  of  artillery,  stationed  in  front 
of  the  house.  All  these  transactions  were  exceedingly 
offensive  to  the  inhabitants  of  Boston.  It  was  in  fact, 
garrisoning  the  town,  and  placing  the  inhabitants  under 
martial  law.  The  complaints  of  the  people  became 
loud  and  threatening,  and  anxiety  and  alarm  pervaded 
all  ranks.  The  General  Court  was  again  convened, 
and  the  Assembly  petitioned  the  Governour  to  give 
effectual  orders  for  the  removal  of  his  Majesty's  forces, 
by  sea  and  land,  from  the  harbour  and  town  of  Boston. 
To  this  request,  the  Governour  replied  that  lie  had  no 
authority  over  his  Majesty's  ships  in  the  port,  or  his 
troops  in  the  town.  The  Assembly  peremptorily  re- 
fused to  make  any  provision  for  the  subsistence  of  the 
troops,  for  which  purpose  they  were  convened,  and 
the  Governour  prorogued  it,  without  any  decisive  acts 
having  been  passed. 

In  1769,  the  Duke  of  Grafton,  then  at  the  head  of 
the  British  administration,  brought  forward  a  proposi- 
tion to  repeal  all  the  acts  imposing  duties  for  the  pur- 
pose of  raising  a  revenue  in  the  colonies.  This  judi- 
cious measure,  however,  he  was  unable  to  carry  into 
complete  effect.  The  majority  of  the  house  of  Parlia- 
ment insisted  on  their  right  to  tax  the  colonies,  and  it 
therefore  became  necessary,  in  order  to  maintain  their 
legislative  supremacy  in  America,  that  the  tax  should 
remain,  at  least,  on  one  article.  An  act  was  therefore 
passed,   to  repeal  the  tax^s   on  all  articles,   with  the 

he  embarked  for  England,  and  was  succeeded  in  the  com- 
mand by  sir  William  Howe.  His  conduct  towards  the  in- 
habitants of  Boston,  in  promising  them  liberty  to  leave  the 
town,  on  the  delivery  of  their  arms,  and  then  detaining  ma- 
ny of  them,  has  been  reprobated  for  its  treachery.  He  died 
:n  England,  in  April,  1737. — Aliens  Biograph.  Dictionary. 


20  MEMOIRS  OF 


single  exception  of  tea.  But  the  colonists  contended, 
that  as  a  matter  of  principle,  this  act  did  not  at  ail  re- 
move the  cause  of  their  complaints.  It  was  not  the 
amount  of  the  tax,  of  which  thej  complained,  but  the 
principle  which  the  act  in  question  recognized.  If 
Parliament  had  a  right  to  impose  a  tax  on  tea,  this 
right  must  unquestionably  extend  to  all  other  articles 
imported  into  the  colonies.  It  was  the  right  which 
the  colonies  denied,  and  which  the  British  cabinet  had 
determined  to  maintain. 

Under  these  circumstances,  the  clamour  of  the 
people  became  loud  and  general.  Associations  were 
formed  in  several  of  the  colonies  ;  the  members  of 
which,  voluntarily  bound  themselves  not  to  make  use 
of  tea  on  any  occasion,  and  merchants  agreed  not  to 
import  it.  A  spirit  of#opposition  and  discontent  every 
where  prevailed,  and  a  direful  conflict  seemed  to 
threaten  in  all  directions. 

In  1773,  a  discovery  was  made  which  greatly  in- 
creased the  public  irritation,  particularly  in  New  Eng- 
land. Dr.  Franklin,  then  in  London,  as  agent  for  the 
colony  of  Massachusetts,  obtained  possession  of  cer- 
tain letters  written  by  Governour  Hutchinson  to  the 
government  of  Great  Britain.*     These  letters  he  trans* 

*  Th  following  account  of  the  manner  in  which  these 
famous  letters  were  obtained,  is  extracted  from  Dr  Hosack's 
"  Biographical  Memoir  of  Hugh  Williamson,  M   D." 

"  Dr.  Williamson  had  now  arrived  in  London.  Feeling 
a  lively  interest  in  the  momentous  questions  then  agitated, 
and  suspecting  that  a  clandestine  correspondence,  hostile  to 
the  interest  of  the  colonies,  was  carried  on  between  Hutchin- 
son and  certain  leading  members  of  the  British  cabinet,  he 
determined  to  ascertain  the  truth  by  a  bold  experiment. 

"  He  had  learned  that  Governour  Hutchinson's  letters 
were  deposited  in  an  office  different  from  that  in  which  th<;y 
ought  regularly  to  have  been  placed  ;  and  having  understood 
that  there  was  little  exactness  in  the  transaction  of  the  busi- 
ness of  that  office,  (it  is  believed  it  was  the  office  of  a  par- 


LA  FAYETTE.  21 


mitted  to  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts,  over 
the  colony  of  which,  the  author  was  at  that  time  the 
Governour.  The  letters  were  obviously  designed  to 
induce  the  government  of  Great  Britain  to  persist  in 
the  measures  which  had  been  adopted,  and  which 
were  so  highly  offensive  to  the  colonies.  The  opposi- 
tion was  stated  to  exist  only  among  a  few  factious  and 
turbulent  men,  whose  conduct,  it  was  intimated,  was 
not  generally  approved. 

The  General  Court  was  exceedingly  exasperated  by 
these  letters,  and  resolved  that  their  design  was  to 
overthrow  the  constitution  of  government,  and  to  in- 
troduce into  the  province  the  exercise  of  arbitrary 
power.  At  the  same  time,  a  petition  to  the  King  was 
voted,  praying  his  Majesty  to  remove  Governour  Hut- 
chinson forever  from  the  colony.  On  this  petition, 
the  British  council  reported,  that  it  was  founded  on 
false  allegations,  and  formed  for  seditious  purposes  ; 
and  that  it  was  calculated  only  to  keep  up  a  spirit  of 
clamour  and  discontent.  Governour  Hutchinson  was, 
however,  soon  afterwards  removed,  and  was  succeeded 
by  General  Gage. 

The  time  now  approached,  when  some  decisive  act 
was  to  determine  whether  the  colonies  would  submit 
to  taxation,  or,  by  a  firm  and  united  resistance,  bid  de- 
fiance to  British  authority. 

ticular  department  of  the  treasury,)  he  immediately  repaired 
to  it,  and  addressed  himself  to  the  chief  clerk^not  finding 
the  principal  within.  Assuming  the  demeanor  of  official 
importance,  he  peremptorily  stated,  that  he  had  come  for 
the  last  letters  that  had  been  received  from  Governour  Hut- 
chinson and  Mr.  Oliver,  noticing  the  office  in  which  they 
ought  regularly  to  have  been  placed.  Without  any  question 
being  asked,  the  letters  were  delivered.  The  clerk  doubt- 
less, supposed  him  to  be  an  authorized  person  from  some 
other  public  office.  Dr.  Williamson  immediately  carried 
them  to  Dr.  Franklin,  and  the  next  day  left  London  for  Hol- 
land." 


22  MEMOIRS  OF 


Owing  to  the  determination  of  the  Americans  not  to 
import  tea,  and  a  pretty  general  understanding  that  its 
use  would  subject  any  person  to  aspersions,  as  an  ene- 
my to  the  liberty  of  the  provinces,  the  demand  for 
this  article  was  so  far  lessened,  that  large  quantities 
had  accumulated  in  the  ware  houses  of  the  British 
East  India  Company.  This  Company,  under  assu- 
rances from  government,  that  they  should  sustain  no 
loss  by  shipping  teas  to  America,  sent  large  quantities 
on  consignment  to  merchants  in  Boston,  New  York, 
Philadelphia,  and  other  places. 

"  The  conduct  of  the  colonies,"  says  Marshall,  "  in 
this  precise  point  of  time,  was  to  determine,  whether 
they  would  submit  to  be  taxed  by  the  British  Parlia- 
.  or  rnoet  the  consequences  of  a  practical  applica- 
tion, to  their  situation,  of  the  opinion  they  had  main- 
tained. If  the  tea  should  be  landed,  it  would  be  sold, 
and  the  duties,  consequently,  would  be  paid  ;  arid  it 
would  form  a  precedent  for  taxing,  the  opposition  to 
which,  would,  it  was  feared,  become  every  day  less  and 
less.  The  same  sentiment,  on  this  subject,  appears 
to  have  pervaded  the  whole  continent  at  the  same 
time." 

In  Charleston,  the  tea  was  landed,  though  with  great 
opposition. 

In  Boston,  at  a  large  meeting  of  the  citizens,  it  was 
voted,  with  loud  acclamations,  "  that  the  tea  should 
not  be  landed,  that  no  duty  should  be  paid,  and  that  it 
should  be  ^ent  back  in  the  same  bottoms." 

The  captain  of  the  vessel  containing  the  tea,  in 
Boston  harbour,  aware  of  the  danger,  applied  to  the 
Governourfor  a  clearance  ;  the  meeting  being  warned 
of  this  circumstance,  it  was  immediately  dissolved, 
and  a  number  of  resolute  men,  dressed  like  Indians, 
boarded  the  vessel,  and  in  two  or  three  hours,  broke 
open  and  threw  into  the  water,  three  hundred  and 
forty-two  chests  of  tea. 

These  proceedings  being  reported  to  Parliament, 


LA  FAYETTE.  23 


excited  great  indignation  in  that  body,  and  caused  the 
passage  of"  An  act  for  the  better  regulation  of  Massa- 
chusetts Bay."  By  this  act,  the  nomination  of  magis- 
trates, officers,  or  counsellors,  was  vested  in  the 
crown,  and  the  persons  so  appointed,  were  to  be  con- 
tinued in  office  during  the  royal  pleasure.  It  was,  in 
effect,  a  total  subversion  of  the  charter  of  the  colony. 
Another  act,  equally  odious  to  the  colonists,  provi- 
ded, that  under  certain  circumstances,  persons  indicted 
for  murder,  or  other  capital  crimes,  should  be  sent  to 
Great  Britain  for  trial  ;  thus  abolishing  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  courts  of  the  provinces,  and  making  the 
crimes  committed  in  one  country,  punishable  only  in 
another. 

But  the  act  at  which  the  citizens  of  Boston  were 
most  indignant,  was  caiied  the  '  Boston  Port  Bill.'  This 
bill  was  passed  for  discontinuing  the  lading  and  ship- 
ping of  goods,  wares  and  merchandize  at  Boston,  or 
the  harbour  thereof,  and  for  the  removal  of  the  custom 
house,  with  its  dependencies  to  the  town  of  Salem. 
Tnisbill  was  to  continue  in  force,  until  the  tea,  which 
had  been  destroyed,  had  been  paid  for,  and  until,  in 
the  opinion  of  his  Majesty  and  his  council,  peace  and 
order  had  been  restored  at  Boston. 

The  people  of  Massachusetts,  so  far  from  showing 
any  signs  of  submission  to  these  unjust  and  impolitic 
acts,  became  louder  in  their  tones  of  complaint,  and 
more  determined  in  their  purposes  of  resistance.  Re- 
solutions were  passed  in  Boston,  on  the  injustice  and 
cruelty  of  these  acts,  appealing  from  them  to  God  and 
to  the  world,  as  judges  of  the  equity  of  resistance. 
The  same  spirit  was  soon  aroused  in  every  part  of  the 
continent. 

Propositions  from  several  of  the  colonies,  had  been 
made,  that  delegates  from  each  colony  should  meet  at 
some  convenient  place,  to  take  into  consideration  the 
alarming  and  distressed  condition  of  the  country,  and 


U  MEMOIRS  OF 


to  form  resolutions   making  a  common  cause  of  all 
public  grievances. 

On  the  4th  of  September,  1774,  delegates  from 
eleven  of  the  provinces  accordingly  met  at  Philadel- 
phia, agreeably  to  appointment,  for  this  purpose. 

A  declaration  of  the  rights  of  the  provinces  was 
drawn  up,  and  passed  in  the  form  of  resolves,  by  this 
Congress.  "  Affection  to  the  mother  country,"  says 
Judge  Marshall,  "  an  exalted  admiration  of  her  nation- 
al character,  unwillingness  to  separate  from  her,  a 
knowledge  of  the  hazards  and  difficulties  of  the  strug- 
gle to  be  engaged  in,  mingled  with  an  enthusiastic  love 
of  liberty,  and  of  country  ;  with  a  conviction  that  all 
which  can  make  life  valuable  was  at  stake,  character- 
ize their  proceedings."  "  We  ask,"  say  the  Congress, 
il  for  peace,  liberty  and  safety.  We  wish  not  a  dimi- 
nution of  the  prerogative,  nor  do  we  solicit  the  grant 
of  any  new  right  in  our  favour  ;  your  royal  authority 
over  us,  and  our  connexion  with  Great  Britain,  we 
shall  always  carefully  and  zealously  endeavour  to  sup- 
port and  maintain." 

These  resolutions,  in  the  form  of  an  address,  were 
sent  to  the  mother  country,  and  directed  to  the  people 
of  England.  At  the  same  time,  a  petition  was  sent  to 
the  king,  giving  a  summary  account  of  the  grievances 
complained  of,  and  containing  a  humble  prayer  that 
he  would  cause  them  to  be  removed.  Letters  were 
also  addressed  by  the  Congress  to  their  constituents, 
and  to  the  colonies  of  Nova  Scotia,  St.  Johns,  Georgia, 
and  the  Floridas.  Having  done  all  that  the  wisdom  of 
men,  and  the  firmness  of  heroes  could  have  done,  on 
such  an  occasion,  this  Congress  dissolved  itself,  on  the 
26th  of  October,  with  a  recommendation  that  another 
Congress  should  assemble,  on  the  10th  of  May  follow- 
ing, at  the  same  place.  The  proceedings  of  this  Con- 
gress were  read  throughout  the  country,  with  the  most 
marked  admiration.  Whatever  they  recommended, 
was  immediately  received  by  the  people,  as  the  law 


LA  FAYETTE.  25 


by  which  they  were  bound,  and  which  the  different 
colonies  vied  with  each  other  in  carrying  most  com- 
pletely into  effect. 

The  irritable  state  of  public  feeling  at  Boston  was 
<uch,  that  General  Gage  thought  it  prudent  to  fortify 
Boston  Neck  for  the  security  of  his  troops.  About 
the  same  time,  as  governour  of  the  province,  he  seized 
upon  the  stores  of  ammunition  at  Cambridge,  and  the 
magazines  at  Charlestown,  both  of  which  were  provin- 
cial property.  • 

These  proceedings  caused  such  a  general  indigna- 
tion, that  it  was  with  difficulty  the  inhabitants  of  Bos- 
ton were  restrained  from  the  commission  of  some 
very  inconsiderate  acts.  People  assembled  in  great 
numbers,  and  declared  their  readiness  to  march  im- 
mediately, and  demand  the  re-delivery  of  the  stores. 
They  were,  however,  fortunately  dissuaded  from  so 
desperate  an  act. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  present  year,  (1774.)  Gov- 
ernour Gage  issued  writs  for  the  election  of  members 
for  a  General  Assembly.  But  finding  the  disaffection 
so  general,  and  the  ferment  every  where  so  high,  be 
thought  it  most  prudent  to  countermand  this  order, 
lest  a  majority  of  the  house  should  be  found  attached 
to  the  provincial  interests.  He  therefore,  by  procla- 
mation, recalled  and  annulled  the  writs  he  had  previ- 
ously issued.  But  to  this  proclamation,  the  electors 
paid  not  the  least  attention.  The  delegates  were 
elected,  met  in  assembly,  and  conducted  the  affairs  oi 
the  province  as  if  they  had  been  legally  invested  with 
proper  authority.  They  formed  a  plan  for  the  defence 
of  the  provinces  ;  voted  money  ;  provided  for  maga- 
zines, stores,  and  ammunition  for  several  thousand 
militia,  and  enrolled  a  large  number  of  minute  men. 
whose  duty  it  was  to  be  ready  to  march  at  a  moment's 
warning. 

Notwithstanding  all  these  preparations,  there  was  a 
determination,  on  the   part   of  the  provincials,  thai 

:3 


26  MEMOIRS  OF 


their  oppressors  should  force  them  to  the  conflict, 
which  was  every  where  expected.  It  was  the  settled 
understanding  throughout  New  England,  and  more  or 
less  so,  in  all  the  provinces,  that  hostility  should  be 
repelled  wherever  it  commenced  ;  but  that  the  pro- 
vincials should  hold  themselves  guiltless  of  the  first 
blood  shed. 

The  time  was  at  hand,  when  the  firmness  of  these 
resolutions  was  to  be  tested  ;  and  the  commencement 
of  hostilities  at  Concord,  by  a  party  of  royal  troops, 
served  to  show  that  the  fixed  purpose  of  the  provin- 
cials to  repel  any  hostile  attack  upon  their  rights,  had 
not  been  made  in  vain. 


LA  FAYETTE.  27 


CHAPTER  III. 

COMMENCEMENT  OF  THE  WAR. — BATTLE  OF  LEXINGTON. 

The  provincials  had  collected  a  considerable  quan- 
tity of  military  stores  at  Concord,  a  town  situated 
about  eighteen  miles  from  Boston.  On  the  night  of 
the  18th  of  April,  1775,  General  Gage  detached  a  par- 
ty of  eight  or  nine  hundred  men  to  destroy  these 
stores ;  and,  although  this  was  done  with  the  greatest 
secrecy,  the  country  was  in  alarm,  and  the  minute 
men  and  militia  had  begun  to  assemble  at  Lexington, 
twelve  miles  from  Boston,  when  the  detachment  arri- 
ved there,  at  5  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Major  Pit- 
cairn,  who  commanded  the  van,  rode  up  to.  them,  call- 
ing out  "  disperse,  rebels,  throw  down  your  arms,  and 
disperse  !"  At  the  same  time,  some  scattering  guns 
were  fired  by  the  royalists,  which  were  immediately 
followed  by  a  general  discharge  ;  and  the  firing  con- 
tinued, so  long  as  any  of  the  militia  were  in  sight. 
The  number  of  militia  assembled  was  about  seventy, 
of  whom  eight  were  killed,  and  several  more  wounded. 
The  detachment  then  proceeded  to  Concord,  and  ef- 
fected the  object  for  which  it  was  sent. 

Meantime  the  militia  had  assembled  in  such  num- 
bers as  to  present  more  difficulties  to  the  retreat  of  the 
royal  party  than  were  apprehended.  They  were  ha- 
rassed on  every  side.  Skirmish  after  skirmish  ensued, 
in  which  the  regulars  were  generally  worsted.  Gen. 
Gage,  aware  that  the  expedition  was  not  without  haz- 
ard, sent  out  a  reinforcement,  which  met  the  retreat- 
ing party  at  Lexington.  This  timely  assistance  proba- 
bly saved  the  party  from  being  entirely  cut  off,  or 
taken  prisoners. 

The  number  of  British,  killed,  wounded,  and  taken 


28  MEMOIRS  OF 


prisoners,  in  this  action,  was  two  hundred  and  seventy  - 
three.     The  provincials  lost  about  ninety. 

This  battle,  although  of  little  consequence  in  itself, 
was  still  of  great  importance,  as  the  commencement  of 
a  long,  obstinate  and  bloody  war  ;  and  as  it  served  to 
show  the  alacrity,  courage  and  temper  of  the  militia. 
The  war  thus  commenced,  the  news  of  it  spread  con- 
sternation throughout  the  country.  Preparations 
were  every  where  made  for  the  general  defence. 
The  Assembly  of  Massachusetts  immediately  passed  a 
vote  for  raising  thirteen  thousand  six  hundred  men. 
within  their  own  province,  and  for  calling  on  JNew 
Hampshire,  Rhode  Island,  and  Connecticut  for  their 
proportionate  number  of  men,  so  as  to  raise,  in  the 
whole,  an  army  of  thirty  thousand,  to  be  equipped  and 
ready  for  the  common  defence. 

Immediately  after  the  battle  of  Lexington,  a  plan 
was  formed  by  Messrs.  Deane,  Wooster  and  Parsons, 
of  Connecticut,  to  send  an  expedition  to  surprize  and 
take  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point ;  two  very  impor- 
tant military  posts,  situated  on,  and  commanding  the 
lakes  George  and  Champlain.  For  this  purpose,  about 
forty  volunteers  from  Connecticut  marched  towards 
Bennington,  in  Vermont,  where,  by  previous  arrange- 
ment, they  were  to  meet  Colonel  Ethan  Allen, *  who 

*  Ethan  Allen,  a  brigadier  general  in  the  war  with  Grea] 
Britain,  was  born  in  Salisbury,  Connecticut.  While  he  was 
young,  his  parents  emigrated  to  Vermont.  At  the  com- 
mencement of  the  disturbances  in  this  country,  about  the 
year  1770,  he  took  a  most  active  part  in  favor  of  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys,  ill  opposition  to  the  government  of  New 
York.  An  act  of  outlawry  was  passed  against  him  by  that 
state,  and  500  guineas  were  offered  for  his  apprehension. 

When  the  struggle  for  liberty  commenced  in  this  country, 
Mr.  Allen  was  one  of  the  first  to  take  active  measures  in  its 
defence.  Immediately  after  the  battle  of  Lexington,  he  rai- 
sed 230  Green  Mountain  boys,  with  a  view  to  surprise  and 


LA  FAYETTE.  29 


had  also  raised  a  number  of  volunteers  to  assist  in  the 
expedition,  and  who  was  to  have  the  command.     Col. 

take  possession  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point.  This  he 
was  authorized  to  do  by  the  Assembly  of  Connecticut.  When 
on  the  point  of  marching,  he  was  unexpectedly  joined  by 
Benedict  Arnold,  who,  with  400  men,  had  engaged  in  the 
same  enterprize.  Having  found  their  way  through  the  wil- 
derness, they  reached  Ticonderoga  on  the  9th  of  May,  i  775. 
At  the  head  of  83  men,  towards  the  dawn  of  day,  he  marched 
directly  to  the  gate  of  the  fort,  where  a  sentry  snapped  his 
gun  at  him,  and  retreated.  Having  passe: s  through  the 
gate,  he  paraded  his  men,  and  gave  three  huzzas.  A  soldier, 
who  had  asked  quarter,  then  led  him  to  the  apartment  of  the 
commanding  officer,  and  Allen,  with  a  drawn  sword  over 
the  head  of  the  Captain,  De  la  Place,  who  was  still  undres- 
sed, demanded  the  surrender  of  the  fort.  "  By  what  au- 
thority do  you  demand  it  ?"  inquired  the  astonished  captain  ; 
'•  I  demand  it,"  said  Allen,  "  in  the  name  of  the  great  Je- 
hovah, and  the  continental  Congress."  This  summons 
could  not  be  resisted,  and  the  fort  was  immediately  surren- 
dered. In  the  fall  of  1775,  he  was  sent  to  Canada,  where 
he  made  a  brave,  but  unsuccessful,  attempt  to  take  posses- 
son  of  Montreal.  Here  he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
but  did  not  surrender,  until  his  party  was  reduced  to  31 
men. 

He  was  now  for  some  time  kept  in  irons,  and  treated 
with  great  indignity  and  cruelty,  and  then  sent  to  England 
for  trial,  being  assured  that  a  halter  awaited  him  there.  In 
England,  he  was  imprisoned  for  a  time,  and  then  sent  to 
Halifax.  Here  he  was  confined  in  gaol  for  several  months, 
when  he  was  taken  to  New  York,  where  the  enemy  kept 
possession  of  him  about  a  year  and  a  half.  He  was  then 
exchanged  for  Col.  Campbell,  and  immediately  repaired  to 
head  quarters,  and  offered  his  services  to  General  Washing- 
ton, as  soon  as  his  health  should  be  restored.  He  arrived  at 
his  home  in  Vermont,  in  May,  1778.  His  arrival  was  an- 
nounced by  the  discharge  of  cannon. 

Col.  Allen  did  not  again  enter  the  regular  service,  but 
was  appointed  to  command  the  Vermont  militia.  He  died 
suddenly  at  his  estate  in  Colchester,  Feb.  13,  1789. 

3* 


30  MEMOIRS  OF 


Allen  met  the  Connecticut  volunteers  at  Castleton,. 
with  about  two  hundred  and  seventy  men.  At  this 
place,  they  were  joined  by  Col.  Arnold,  who,  without 
the  least  knowledge  of  the  enterprize  from  Connecti- 
cut, had  been  authorized  by  the  committee  of  safety  of 
Massachusetts,  to  raise  four  hundred  men  for  the  same 
purpose.  It  was  agreed  that  they  should  join  their 
forces,  and  be  associated  in  the  command.  They  ac- 
cordingly marched  through  the  wilderness,  and  reach- 
ed lake  Champlain,  opposite  to  Ticonderoga  on  the 
night  of  the  ninth  of  May.  Here  they  obtained  boats, 
and  the  two  commanders,  with  eighty-three  men,  ef- 
fected a  landing  on  the  opposite  shore,  without  being 
discovered.  They  immediately  demanded  a  surren- 
der of  the  fort  and  garrison,  which  were  given  up 
without  firing  a  gun  on  either  side.  The  garrison 
consisted  of  a  captain,  lieutenant,  and  forty-four  men. 
rank  and  file. 

Ticonderoga  being  taken,  Col.  feeth  Warner  was 
detached  to  take  possession  of  Crown  Point.  This 
was  accordingly  effected  without  opposition.  The 
garrison  consisted  of  a  sergeant  and  twelve  men. 
With  these  garrisons,  a  considerable  quantity  of  mili 
iary  stores  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  provincials,  which, 
at  that  time,  were  of  much  value.  To  complete  the 
object  of  this  expedition,  it  was  necessary  to  capture 
a  sloop  of  war,  the  only  armed  vessel  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain.     This  service  was  performed  by  Col.  Arnold/ 


*  Benedict  Arnold,  a  major  general  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  was  a  resident  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut, 
at  the  breaking  out  of  the  revolution.  He  was  appointed 
captain  of  a  volunteer  company,  in  that  town.  Hearing  of 
the  battle  of  Lexington,  he  marched  with  his  company,  and 
offered  his  services  to  the  committee  of  safety.  But  finding 
nothing  to  do  there,  he  proposed  to  march  to  Ticonderoga, 
and  take  that  fortress.  He  was  accordingly  commissioned  a 
colonel,  and  authorized  to  raise  400  men  for  that  purpose. 


LA  FAYETTE.  31 


who,  with  a  small  detachment,  surprised  and  took  the 
sloop  without   the   least  opposition.     Thus,    without 

lie  afterwards  joined  Col    Ethan  Allen,  and  proceeded  wnh 
him  in  that  successful  eutei  prize. 

In  1775,  he  was  sent  by  Washington  through  the  wilder- 
ness to  Canada,  for  the  purpose  of  surprising  and  taking- 
possession  of  Quebec.  After  suffering  incredible  hardships, 
and  losing  many  of  his  brave  men,  he  arrived  at  the  place  of 
destination.  But  here  misfortunes  attended  him,  which 
neither  human  foresight,  uor  the  greatest  military  skill  and 
personal  courage  could  control.  The  attempt  to  take  Que- 
bec proved  unsuccessful,  and  Arnold  was  obliged  to  relin- 
quish post  after  post  until  he  quitted  Canada,  in  June,  1776. 
At  the  battle  of  Stillwater,  he  conducted  with  admirable 
intrepidity,  being  incessantly  engaged  with  the  enemy  for 
four  hours.  During  a  subsequent  action  near  the  same  place, 
he  had  his  horse  killed  under  him,  and  was  badly  wounded 
in  the  leg. 

Being  now  rendered  unfit  for  active  service,  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  command  the  garrison  at  Philadelphia.  Here  he 
took  the  house  of  Governor  Penn,  the  best  in  the  city,  for  his 
head  quarters.  This  he  furnished  in  a  very  costly  manner, 
and  far  beyond  his  means.  He  had  wasted  the  plunder 
which  he  had  seized  at  Montreal,  when  in  Canada,  and  as 
his  pay  bore  no  proportion  to  his  expenses,  he  made  up  the 
deficiency  by  seizing  on  the  effects  of  those  who  were  un- 
friendly to  the  American  cause  in  Philadelphia.  He  was 
accused  of  oppression,  extortion,  and  enormous  charges  when 
he  presented  his  accounts  for  public  services.  He  was  also 
accused  of  applying  public  property  to  his  own  use.  He 
was  also  engaged  in  trading  speculation,  and  in  several  pri- 
vateers. 

Commissioners  being  appointed  to  inspect  his  public  ac- 
counts, more  than  one  half  of  his  demands  were  rejected. 
On  this  he  appealed  to  Congress,  and  the  doings  of  the  com- 
missioners were  confirmed  by  that  body.  He  then  indulged 
in  the  most  violent  invectives,  not  only  against  the  commis- 
sioners, but  against  Congress  also.  The  executive  of  Penn- 
sylvania preferred  charges  against  him,  and  he  was  tried  by 
a  court-martial^  and  sentenced  to  receive  a  reprimand  from 


32  MEMOIRS  OF 


the  loss  of  a  single  man,  these  important  military  posts, 
together  with  the  command  of  lake  Champlain,  were 
acquired  by  the  enterpnze  of  a  few  individuals. 

Washington.  This  sentence  was  approved  by  Congress, 
and  carried  into  effect. 

It  is  probable,  that  from  this  time  his  proud  spirit  revolt- 
ed against  his  country,  and  that  he  determined  on  the  com- 
mission of  a  crime  which  has  rendered  his  name  so  infamous. 
After  much  solicitation,  he  obtained  the  command  of  West 
Point,  as  a  place  where  his  treason  would  be  most  valuable 
to  the  enemies  of  America,  and  most  mortal  to  the  hopes  of 
Washington.  Before  he  took  this  command,  he  signified  to 
Col.  Robinson,  of  the  British  army,  that  he  had  changed  his 
political  principles,  and  that  he  would  give  some  signal 
proof  of  his  attachment  to  the  royal  cause  in  America. 
This  letter  was  the  means  of  opening  for  him  a  correspon- 
dence with  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  the  commander  of  th-  Bri- 
tish army  at  New  York,  the  object  of  which  wa»  to  concert 
a  plan  to  put  into  the  hands  of  the  British  general,  the  im- 
portant post  which  he  commanded.  This  design  was  dis- 
covered just  in  time  to  prevent  its  execution,  and  the  traitor 
found  opportunity  to  escape  to  the  enemy  on  the  25th  of 
Sept.  1780. 

Arnold  was  commissioned  a  brigadier  general  in  the  roy- 
al army,  which  station  he  held  to  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
exerted  every  means  in  his  power  to  injure  his  former 
friends,  and  to  induce  Americans  to  desert  and  join  him  in 
arms  against  their  country.  But  Benedict  Arnold  remains 
a  solitary  instance  of  desertion  to  the  enemy  among  all  the 
commissioned  officers  appointed  by  the  American  Congress. 

He  vvassoon  despatched  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Virginia, 
with  seventeen  hundred  men  to  make  a  diversion.  Here  he 
committed  extensive  ravages,  plundering  the  unprotected 
inhabitants  wherever  he  went. 

He  was  next  sent  on  an  expedition  against  his  native  state, 
and  took  Fort  Trumbull  and  Fort  Griswold,  and  burnt  the 
town  of  New  London,  in  Connecticut.  At  Fort  Griswold, 
the  commander,  Col.  Ledyard,  was  murdered  after  he  had 
surrendered,  with  his  own  sword,  and  a  merciless  slaughter 


LA  FAYETTE.  33 


While  these  operations  were  going  on  in  the  north, 
the  southern  colonies  were  making  most  vigorous  pre- 
parations for  the  general  defence.  , 

In  Virginia,  the  royal  government  had  terminated 
by  the  retirement  of  Lord  Dunmore,  the  governor, 
from  the  colony.  His  lordship  privately  went  on 
board  the  Fowey,  man  of  war,  which  was  then  lying  at 
Yorktown.  The  occasion  which  induced  him  to  con- 
sider this  step  necessary,  was  the  great  ferment  excited 
in  consequence  of  his  permitting  some  persons  to  en- 
ter a  magazine  belonging  to  the  colony,  and  to  destroy 
the  powder,  and  take  the  locks  from  the  guns.  His 
lordship  afterwards  rendered  himself  exceedingly  odi- 
ous to  the  colonists  by  some  letters  written  by  him  to 
the  Secretary  of  State,  containing  sentiments  hostile 
to  America.  So  soon  as  intelligence  of  the  battle  of 
Lexington  was  received  at  South  Carolina,  a  provin- 
cial Congress  was  assembled  in  that  colony. 

This  Congress  "  resojyxiL-ta  repel  force  by  force.' 
and  agreed  to  raise  two  regiments  of  infantry,  and  one 
of  rangers,  for  their  defence.  An  association  was  also 
formed,  the  members  of  which  piedged  themselves  to 
meet  the  enemy  at  such  time  and  place  as  the  congress 
should  direct,  and  declared  that,  they  would  consider 
all  persons  who  would  not  subscribe  to  the  association, 
as  enemies  to  the  provinces.    Lord  William  Campbell, 

was  then  commenced  on  the  garrison,  the  most  of  whom 
were  also  slaughtered  after  they  had  ceased  to  resist. 

Upon  the  conclusion  of  the  American  war,  Arnold  resided 
in  England,  and  died  at  Gloucester  place,  London,  on  the 
14th  of  June,  1801. 

Arnold's  character  presents  little  to  be  commended.  His 
daring  courage  was  without  principle  or  reflection,  and  was 
always  displayed  to  enhance  his  own  fame,  rather  than  the 
good  of  the  cause  in  which  he  was  engaged.  He  was  vicious, 
extravagant,  cruel,  vain,  luxurious  and  mean.  And  to  give 
the  finish  to  his  character,  he  was  a  base  traitor  to  the  best 
cause  in  which  arms  were  ever  taken. 


34  MEMOIRS  OF 


the  governor  of  South  Carolina,  in  consequence  of  the 
detection  of  an  intrigue,  by  which  he  intended  to  pro- 
mote the  royal  cause,  was  obliged  to  take  refuge  on 
board  a  ship  of  war  lying  at  Charleston  ;  and  thus 
ended  the  royal  administration  in  South  Carolina. 

In  North  Carolina,  Governor  Martin  was  charged 
with  fomenting  civil  discord,  and  of  stirring  up  an  in- 
surrection among  the  slaves.  He  made  preparation  to 
defend  him«elf  in  his  palace  5  but  the  ferment  was  so 
great,  that  he  deemed  it  most  safe  to  escape  on  board 
one  of  his  Majesty's  ships  lying  at  Cape  Fear. 

The  second  Congress  met,  on  the  12th  of  May,  at 
Philadelphia.  The  rirst  business  that  was  done,  was 
to  lay  before  the  house  depositions  proving  that,  at 
the  battle  of  Lexington,  the  royal  troops  gave  the  first 
fire,  and  were  entirely  the  aggressors.  All  attempts 
at  a  reconciliation  with  Great  Bntian,  in  the  opinion 
of  Congress,  seemed  now  to  be  hopeless.  No  concili- 
atory measures  were  offered  by  Parliament  ;  nor 
were  there  any  indications,  on  the  part  of  the  provin- 
ces, of  submission  to  the  oppressive  acts  of  royal  au- 
thority. 

I  'ongress  therefore  proceeded  to  make  preparation 
for  deciding,  with  the  sword,  what  it  had  long  been 
anxiously  hoped,  would  be  amicably  adjusted  in  coun- 
cil. 

Bills  of  credit  to  the  amount  of  three  millions  of 
dollars  were  emitted  by  vote  of  the  house,  to  defny 
the  expenses  of  the  war,  and  the  twelve  confederated 
colonies  were  pledged  for  the  redemption  of  these 
bills.  Articles  of  war,  for  the  regulation  of  the  con- 
federated army,  were  drawn  up  and  passed  ;  and  a 
solemn  manifesto,  to  be  published  to  the  army,  and 
read  to  the  people,  from  the  pulpit,  was  prepared. 
"  We,  for  ten  long  years,"  says  the  manifesto,  "  inces- 
santly and  ineiFectuallybesieged  the  throne,  as  suppli- 
ants ;  we  reasoned,  we  remonstrated  with  parliament, 
\n  the  most  mild  and    decent  language*"     "  We  are 


LA  LAYETTE.  35 


reduced  to  the  alternative  of  choosing  an  uncondition- 
al submission  to  the  tyranny  of  irritated  ministers,  or 
resistance  by  force  ; — the  latter  is  our  choice  :  we 
have  counted  the  cost  of  the  contest,  and  find  nothing 
so  dreadful  as  voluntary  slavery.  Honour,  justice 
and  humanity  forbid  us  tamely  to  surrender  that  free- 
dom which  we  received  from  our  gallant  ancestors> 
and  which  our  innocent  posterity  have  a  right  to  re- 
ceive from  us."  u  Our  cause  is  just.  Our  union 
perfect.  Our  internal  resources  are  great,  and  if  ne» 
cessary,  foreign  assistance  is  undoubtedly  attaina- 
ble," &c. 

During  the   month  of  May,  Generals  Burgoyne.* 


*  John  Burgoyne,  a  British  lieutenant  general  in  America, 
was  the  natural  son  of  lord  Bingley.     He  entered  early  into 
the  army,  and   in    1762,  had   the  command  of  a    body  of 
troops  sent  to  Portugal,  for  the  defence  of  that  kingdom 
against  the  Spaniards      After  his  return  to  England,  he  be- 
came a  privy  counsellor,  and  was  chosen  a  member  of  Par- 
liament.    In  the  American  war  he  was  sent  to  Canada,  in 
1775.     In  the  year  1777,  he  was  entrusted  with  the  com- 
mand of  the  northern  army  which  should  rather  have  been 
given  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  who  was  much  better  acquainted 
with  the  situation  uf  the  country.     It  was  the  object  of  the 
campaign  of  1777,  to  open  a  communication  between  New 
York  and  Canada,  and  thus  to  sever  New  England  from  the 
other  states.     Burgoyne  first  proposed  to  possess  himself  of 
the  fortress  of  Ticonderoga.     With  an  army  of  about  four 
thousand  chosen  British  troops,  and  three  thousand  Germans, 
he  left   St.  Johns,  on  the  sixteenth  of  June,  and  proceeded 
up  Lake  Champlain,  and  landed  near  Crown  Point,  where 
he  met  the  Indians,  and  gave  them  a  war  feast.     He  made 
a  speech  to  them,  calculated  to  secure  their  friendly  co-op- 
eration,  but  designed  also  to  mitigate  their  native  ferocity. 
He  endeavoured  to  impress  on  them  the  distinction  between 
enemies  in  the  field,  and  helpless,  unarmed  inhabitants,  and 
promised  rewards  for  prisoners,  but  none  for  scalps.     The 
attempt  to  lay  some  restraint  upon  the  mode  of  warfare  adop- 
ted by  the  savages,  is  honorable  to  Burgoyne ;  but  it  may 


36  MEMOIRS  OF 


Howe  and  Clinton,  arrived  at  Boston,  with  a  reinforce- 
ment of  royal  troops.  After  their  arrival,  General 
Gage  issued  his  proclamation,  declaring  the  provinces 
under  martial  law,  and  offering  pardon  to  all  persons 
who  would  throw  down  their  arms,  and  submit  to  the 
Icing,  excepting  Samuel  Adams  and  John  Hancock. 
This  proclamation  served  only  to  increase  the  spirit 
and  activity  of  the  provincials.  The  commanding 
situation  of  Bunker's  Hill,  rendered  its  possession,  in 

not  be  easy  to  justify  the  connexion  with  an  ally,  upon 
whom  it  was  well  known  no  effectual  restraints  could  be 
laid.  He  also  published  on  the  29th  of  June  a  manifesto, 
intended  to  alarm  the  people  of  the  country  through  which 
he  was  to  march,  and  concluded  it  with  saying,  "I  trust  I 
shall  stand  acquitted  in  the  eyes  of  God  and  man,  in  denoun- 
cing and  executing  the  vengeance  of  the  state  against  the 
wilful  outcasts.  The  messengers  of  justice  and  of  wrath 
await  them  in  the  field,  and  devastation,  famine,  and  every 
concomitant  horror,  that  a  reluctant  but  indispensable  prose- 
cution of  military  duty  must  occasion,  will  bar  the  way  to 
their  return." 

Towards  the  close  of  the  year  1781,  when  a  majority  of 
parliament  seemed  resolved  to  persist  in  the  war,  he  joined 
the  opposition,  and  advocated  a  motion  for  the  discontinu- 
ance of  the  fruitless  contest  He  knew  that  it  was  impossi- 
ble to  conqner  America.  "  Passion,  prejudice  and  interest," 
said  he,  lv  may  operate  suddenly  and  partially  ;  but  when 
we  see  one  principle  pervading  the  whole  continent,  the 
Americans  resolutely  encountering  difficulty  and  death  for  a 
course  of  years,  it  must  be  a  strong  vanity  and  presumption 
in  our  own  minds,  which  can  only  lead  us  to  imagine,  that 
they  are  not  in  the  right."  From  the  peace  till  his  death, 
he  lived  as  a  private  gentleman,  devoted  to  pleasure  and  the 
muses.  His  death  was  occasioned  by  a  fit  of  the  gout, 
August  4,  1792.  He  published  the  Maid  of  the  Oaks,  an 
entertainment  j  Bon  Ton ;  and  the  Heiress,  a  comedy, 
which  were  once  very  popular,  and  are  considered  as  res- 
pectable dramatic  compositions. — Mien's  Bios?.  Dictionary. 


LA  FAYETTE.  37 


the  present  state  of  affairs,  of  great  importance  to  both 
parties,  and  the  provincial  Congress  gave  orders  to 
have  it  fortified.  Bat  owing  to  a  misunderstanding, 
the  party  detached  for  this  service,  took  possession  of 
Breed's  Hill  instead  of  Bunker's  ;  and  such  was  their 
diligence  and  secrecy,  that  during  one  night,  they  had 
thrown  up  a  redoubt  of  considerable  extent,  without 
giving  the  least  alarm  to  the  British  ships,  which  lay 
within  a  short  distance. 

General  Gage  saw,  at  once,  the  necessity  of  driv- 
ing the  provincials  from  this  position.  He  therefore 
detached  Maj.  Gen.  Howe  and  Gen.  Pigot,  with  two 
regiments,  to  effect  this  purpose.  ^Meantime  the 
Americans  had  collected  in  such  numbers,  as  to  stand 
tirmly  the  approach  of  the  royal  party.  Gen.  Howe, 
seeing  this',  halted  his  army, .and  sent  back  for  a  .rein- 
forcement. On  their  arrival,  the  royal  army  moved 
slowly  towards  the  works  they  intended  to  demolish. 

Judge  Marshall  says,  "  It  is  not  easy  to  conceive  a 
more  grand  and  a  more  awful  spectacle,  than  was  now 
exhibited  ;  nor  a  moment  of  more  anxious  expectation 
than  that  which  was  now  presented.  The  scene  of 
action  was  in  full  view  of  the  heights  of  Boston,  and 
its  neighbourhood,  which  were  covered  with  specta- 
tors, taking  deep  and  opposite  interests  in  the  events 
passing  before  them.  The  soldiers  of  the  hostile  ar- 
my not  on  duty,  the  citizens  of  Boston,  and  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  adjacent  country,  all  feeling  emotions 
which  set  description  at  defiance,  were  witnessing  the 
majestic  and  tremendous  scene." 

The  provincials  permitted  the  enemy  to  advance 
within  one  hundred  yards  of  their  works,  without  firing 
a  gun.  They  then  opened,  at  once,  so  deadly  a  fire  of 
musquetry,  that  the  royal  line  was  entirely  broken, 
and  fell  back  with  great  precipitation.  They  again 
rallied,  but  were  again  driven  back  by  the  incessant 
and  well  directed  fire  of  the  provincials.  With  great 
difficulty  the  men  were  again  rallied,  and  a  third  time 

4 


38  MEMOIRS  OF 


led  up  to  the  works  ;  the  attack  being  made  on  three 
sides  of  the  redoubt.  The  ships  in  the  harbour,  and 
several  pieces  of  artillery,  which  had  been  brought  up 
for  the  purpose  of  making  a  breach  in  the  works,  to- 
gether with  the  want  of  ammunition  by  the  Americans, 
decided  this  bloody  contest  in  favour  of  the  royal  ar- 
my. Out  of  three  thousand  men  engaged  in  this  bat- 
tle, the  British  had  killed  and  wounded,  one  thou- 
sand and  fifty-four.  The  American  loss  was  only  four 
hundred  and  fifty,  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 

Although  the  British  claimed  the  victory,  yet  the 
■Americans  were  greatly  elated  at  the  firmness  and  in- 
trepidity whicrrfoere  displayed  by  their  raw  militia, 
during  the  action.  Soon  after  this  battle,  Colonel 
Washington  was  appointed  general  and  commander 
in  chief  of  the  army  of  the  united  colonies,  and  all  the 
forces  now  raised,  or  to  be  raised  by  them.  He  im- 
mediately prepared  to  enter  on  this  duty,  and  with  the 
utmost  despatch,  arrived  at  Cambridge,  the  head  quar- 
ters of  the  provincial  army.  Here  he  found,  that 
about  fourteen  or  fifteen  hundred  men  were  ready  to 
welcome  him  as  their  commander.  But  most  of  them 
were  badly  equipped,  without  ammunition,  and  in  a 
state  of  insubordination. 

Such  indeed,  was  the  scarcity  of  powder  and  ball 
in  the  army,  that  had  the  royal  commander  known 
their  situation  in  this  respect,  the  whole  of  this  divi- 
sion might  have  easily  been  compelled  to  surrender. 
By  the  efficient  arrangements  of  Gen.  Washington, 
these  all  important  articles  were  supplied,  and  subor- 
dination and  system  were,  in  some  degree,  soon  intro- 
duced. 

Gen.  Washington  was  fully  sensible  to  the  difficul- 
ties of  his  responsible  situation,  and  soon  after  his  ar- 
rival, a  council  of  war  was  called  to  deliberate  on  it. 
By  this  council  it  was  unanimously  agreed,  that  he 
should  maintain  his  present  position  in  Cambridge 
and  its  vicinity. 


LA  FAYETTE.  39 


In  July  of  this  year,  the  province  of  Georgia,  which 
had  not  previously  belonged  to  the  confederation,  also 
joined  in  opposition  against  British  tyranny,  aud  sent 
delegates  to  represent  her  in  the  general  Congress. 
The  general  Congress,  after  a  recess  of  one  month, 
again  met  at  Philadelphia. 

On  examination  of  the  state  of  affairs,  it  was  found 
that  the  army  was  chiefly  deficient  in  arms  and  ammu- 
nition, and  that  the  difficulty  of  procuring  both  was  an 
alarming  circumstance.  The  greatest  exertions  were 
therefore  made  for  this  purpose  ;  nor  were  they  with- 
out success.  By  an  address,  peculiaxto  that  period 
and  to  that  occasion,  all  the  powder^tfn  the  coast  of 
Africa,  and  even  within  the  British  forts,  was  purcha- 
sed for  the  American  army  ;  and  this  was  done  without 
exciting  suspicion.  The  magazine  at  Bermuda  was 
also  seized  for  the  same  purpose;  though  it  was  well 
known,  that  the  inhabitants  ot  that  island  were  in  fa- 
vour of  the  American  cause,  and  consequently  made 
no  resistance. 

In  the  month  of  October,  the  town  of  Falmouth,  in 
Massachusetts,  was  burnt  by  Capt.  Mowat,  of  the 
British  navy,  under  circumstances  the  most  cruel  and 
treacherous.  In  consequence  of  this  act,  letters  of 
marque  and  reprisal  were  granted  by  Congress  to  such 
Americans  as  would  fit  out  armed  vessels,  to  annoy 
the  enemy,  and  bring  in  their  cruisers  and  transports. 
Under  such  temptations,  the  coasts  soon  swarmed 
with  privateers  from  New  England,  and  although  pri- 
vate interest,  rather  than  public  good,  in  some  instan- 
ces, was  the  motive  for  winch  these  vessels  were  sent 
out,  yet  they  were  of  material  consequence  to  the 
cause  of  America.  In  many  instances,  vessels  laden 
with  stores  for  the  royal  army,  were  taken  and  brought 
in  ;  and  thus  the  provincial  army  was  supplied  with 
articles  of  which  they  stood  in  the  greatest  need,  while 
the  British  were  deprived  of  stores  they  expected,  and 
which  they  could  obtain  only  from  home. 


40  MEMOIRS  OF 


During  the  fall  of  this  year,  Congress  appointed  a 
committee,  with  directions  to  repair  to  Cambridge, 
and  there  consult  the  commander  in  chief,  and  the 
chief  magistrates  of  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts, 
Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut,  on  the  most  effectual 
method  of  continuing,  supporting,  and  regulating  a 
continental  army. 

On  the  return  of  the  committee  to  Congress,  it  was 
ordered,  that  the  new  army,  intended  to  lie  before 
Boston,  should  consist  of  twenty  thousand,  three  hun- 
dred and  seventy-two  men. 

Accompanyu^j  the  resolutions  for  raising  the  new 
army,  were  others,  some  of  which  serve  to  exhibit  the 
perilous  condition  of  the  country,  and  to  show  how 
unprepared  it  was  for  the  arduous  conflict  in  which  it 
was  engaged. 

The  soldiers  had  brought  with  them  into  service, 
their  own  arms ;  a  practice  at  all  times  inconvenient, 
as  they  will  often  be  of  different  calibre  ;  yet  it  was 
deemed  necessary  to  retain,  at  a  valuation,  for  the 
new  army,  those  belonging  to  men  who  would  not  re- 
enlist.  The  government  being  entirely  unprovided 
with  blankets,  two  dollars  were  offered  to  every  per- 
son who  would  bring  with  him  an  article  so  necessary 
in  a  winter  campaign  ;  and  as  no  regimentals  had  been 
procured  for  the  troops,  various  coloured  clothes 
were  purchased  up,  to  be  delivered  to  them,  and  the 
price  deducted  frOm  their  pay.  But  no  regulation  was 
more  extraordinary,  or  evinced  more  strongly  the  pub- 
lic necessity,  than  that  which  required  the  soldiers  to 
find  their  own  arms,  or  to  pay  six  shillings  for  the  use 
of  arms  furnished  by  the  continent  for  the  campaign. 

The  enemy  continued  in  possession  of  Boston,  and 
had  erected  strong  fortifications  on  Bunker's  Hill. 
The  Americans  had  also  erected  several  redoubts  in 
the  vicinity  of  Boston,  so  that  occasionally  the  soldiers 
of  both  armies  worked  in  sight  of  each  other.  Small 
skirmishes  sometimes  took  place  between  them.     But 


LA  FAYETTE.  41 


although  the  immense  importance  which  would  result 
from  the  success  of  a  general  action  on  either  side, 
was  well  known  to  both  commanders,  still  neither  of 
them  had  dared  to  hazard  a  battle  of  such  consequence. 
General  Washington's  views,  it  was  well  known  to 
Congress,  were  directed  towards  Boston  ;  but  his 
fears  for  the  safety  of  the  town,  might  perhaps,  have 
been  one  reason  why  an  attack  had  not  been  made. 

Under  these  circumstances,  Congress  authorized 
Washington,  if  he  thought  best,  to  attack  the  royal 
troops  in  Boston,  notwithstanding  the  town,  and  pro- 
perty in  it,  might  thereby  be  destroyed.  One  great 
reason  urged  for  making  this  attack  d#ruig  the  winter, 
was,  the  probability  that  a  reinforcement  would  ar- 
rive from  England  in  the  spring.  But  the  American 
army  was  almost  entirely  composed  of  men  who  never 
had  seen  a  battle.  They  were  in  every  respect,  but 
poorly  equipped,  and  the  quantity  of  ammunition  in 
their  camp,  was  absolutely  insufficient ;  whereas  the 
British  were  inured  to  battles  and  camp  duty,  were  in 
the  most  perfect  state  of  subordination,  and  completely 
equipped  in  all  respects. 

General  Washington  finally  came  to  the  conclusion, 
that  an  attack  ought  to  be  made  ;  but  on  calling  a 
council  of  war,  the  opinions  of  those  he  summoned, 
were  nearly  unanimous  against  the  measure.  It  was, 
therefore,  for  the  present,  abandoned.  The  want  of 
ammunition  for  the  artillery,  was  said  to  have  been  the 
principal  reason  for  the  opinion  of  the  council. 

In  February,  1776,  the  inhabitants  of  Boston  saw 
appearances  among  the  British  troops,  which  indica- 
ted an  intention  to  evacuate  that  place.  But  as  these 
appearances  might  be  deceptive,  Gen.  Washington 
did  not  alter  any  of  his  arrangements.  He  had  re- 
ceived a  small  supply  of  powder,  and  was  prosecuting 
a  plan  to  bring  Gen.  Howe,  who  then  had  the  com- 
mand, to  an  action,  or  force  him  to  withdraw  from  the 
town.     With  this  view,  it  was  concerted,  in  a  council 

4  * 


42  MEMOIRS  OF 


of  war,  that  on  the  2nd  of  March,  the  lines  of  the  ene- 
my, and  the  town,  should  be  bombarded.  According- 
ly on  that  night,  a  heavy  cannonade  and  bombardment 
were  kept  up,  and  continued  for  three  successive 
nights.  On  the  night  of  the  4th,  a  detachment  of 
Americans,  commanded  by  General  Thomas,  crossed 
the  neck  from  Roxbury,  and  took  possession  of  the 
heights  without  opposition.  Here,  with  wonderful 
industry,  they  fortified  themselves  during  the  night,  in 
such  a  manner,  as,  by  morning,  to  be  nearly  covered 
from  the  shot  of  the  enemy.  The  British  directed  a 
heavy  fire  on  them,  but  with  very  little  eiFect ;  while 
the  Americans  ^returned  the  fire  from  their  battery, 
and  continued  to  strengthen  their  works. 

At  this  juncture,  General  Howe  became  satisfied, 
that  the  Americans  must  be  dislodged  from  the  heights, 
or  that  he  must  evacuate  Boston.  Lord  Percy,  with 
three  thousand  men,  was  detached  for  this  service  : 
but,  owing  to  a  violent  storm,  its  execution  was  delay- 
ed, and  finally  the  attempt  was  given  up,  and  the  reso- 
lution formed  to  evacuate  the  town.  On  the  17th  of 
March,  the  British  army  marched  out  of  Boston.  To 
the  great  joy  of  the  inhabitants,  they  were  no  longer 
under  martial  law,  and  their  town  was  left  standing. 
A  considerable  number  of  those  who  had  embraced 
the  royal  cause,  quit  the  town  with  the  army,  and  took 
their  families  and  effects  to  Halifax.  We  must  now 
leave  Boston,  and  the  British  army  for  a  while,  to 
describe  the  events  which  had,  in  the  mean  time,  taken 
place  at  the  north. 

The  Canadians  had  become  dissatisfied  with  some  of 
the  acts  of  the  British  administration,  and  considera- 
ble discontent  prevailed,  particularly  among  the  Eng- 
lish settlers.  This  colony,  the  British  had  left  entirely 
unprotected,  their  regular  troops  being  concentrated 
at  Boston.  An  immense  amount  of  military  stores 
had  been  deposited  at  Quebec.  The  Americans  had 
already  the  command   of    Ticonderoga  and  Grown  . 


LA  FAYETTE.  43 


Point,  and  the  whole  of  Lake  Champlain  ;  and  it  was 
thought  that  many  of  the  Canadians  would  support  the 
general  cause  of  liberty.  « 

These  considerations  induced  Congress  to  direct 
that  an  army  should  be  sent  into  Canada.  General 
Schuyler  was  appointed  commander  of  this  expedition. 
Three  thousand  men  were  recruited  for  this  purpose, 
and  Congress  voted  tifty  thousand  dollars  in  specie,  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  the  army  while  in  Canada. 

In  September,  1775,  Gen.  Schuyler*  directed  Gen. 

*  Philip  Schuyler,  a  major  general  in  the  revolutionary 
war,  received  this  appointment  from  Congress,  June  19, 
1775.  He  was  directed  to  proceed  immediately  from  New 
York  to  Ticonderoga,  to  secure  the  lakes,  and  to  make  pre- 
parations for  entering  Canada.  Being  taken  sick  in  Sep- 
tember, the  command  devolved  upon  Montgomery.  On 
his  recovery,  he  devoted  himself  zealously  to  the  manage- 
ment of  the  affairs  in  the  northern  department.  The  super- 
intendence of  the  Indian  concerns  claimed  much  of  his  at- 
tention. On  the  approach  of  Burgoyne,  in  1777,  he  made 
every  exertion  to  obstruct  his  progress  ;  but  the  evacuation 
of  Ticonderoga  by  ht.  Clair,  occasioning  unreasonable  jeal- 
ousies in  regard  to  Schuyler,  in  New  England,  he  was  su- 
perseded by  Gates,  in  August,  and  Congress  directed  an 
inquiry  to  be  made  into  his  conduct.  It  was  a  matter  of 
extreme  chagrin  to  him  to  be  recalled  at  the  moment,  when 
he  was  about  to  take  ground  and  to  face  the  enemy.  He 
afterwards,  though  not  in  the  regular  service,  rendered  im- 
portant services  to  his  country,  in  the  military  transactions 
of  New  York.  He  was  a  member  of  the  old  Congress,  and 
when  the  present  government  of  the  United  States  commen- 
ced its  operation  in  1789,  he  was  appointed  with  Rufus 
King  a  senator  from  his  native  state.  In  1797  he  was  again 
appointed  a  senator  in  the  place  of  Aaron  Burr.  He  died 
at  Albany,  November  lb,  1804,  in  the  seventy  third  year  of 
his  age.  Distinguished  by  strength  of  intellect  and  upright, 
intentions,  he  was  wise  in  the  contrivance  and  enterprising 
and  persevering  in  the  execution  of  plans  of  public  utility. 
In  private  life  he  was  dignified,  but  courteous,  a  pleasing 


■14  MEMOIRS  OF 


Montgomery,  an  officer  of  great  merit,  then  at  Crown 
Point,  to  embark  with  such  troops  as  were  there  in 
readiness,  for  Isle-au-Noixf  the  place  appointed  for 
the  rendezvous  of  the  army.  Gen.  Schuyler  followed 
and  joined  him  before  he  reached  that  place,  but  was 
soon  after  taken  so  ill  that  he  was  unable  to  leave  his 
bed.  The  command  then  devolved  on  Gen.  Mont- 
gomery, and  it  was  concluded  to  proceed  against  Fort 
St.  John*.  Mr.  Livingston,  a  gentleman  of  influence, 
who  resided  on  the  river  Chamblee,  and  who  was 
strongly  attached  to  the  American  cause,  had  assem- 
bled about  three  hundred  Canadian  volunteers,  and  on 
the  arrival  of  the  American  arm),  joined  Gen.  Mont- 
gomery with  his  detachment.  Having  also  received  a 
reinforcement  of  provincials,  and  a  supply  of  powder, 
Gen.  Montgomery  embarked  with  near  two  thousand 
men,  on  the  river  Sorei,  and  proceeded  to  St.  Johns. 

This  place  was  garrisoned  by  five  or  six  hundred 
regular  troops,  and  two  hundred  Canadian  militia,  and 
was  well  supplied  with  ammunition,  artillery  and 
stores.  The  Americans  besieged  this  fort  with  great 
vigour,  for  nearly  two  months ;  when  the  garrison, 
finding  no  hopes  of  relief,  proposed  a  capitulation, 
which  was  agreed  on  between  the  two  commanders, 
and  the  besieged  surrendered  prisoners  of  war. 

After  this  success,  Gen.  Montgomery  proceeded  to 
Montreal ;  and  after  stipulating  that  the  inhabitants 
should  enjoy  the  exercise  of  all  their  religious  privile- 
ges, and  that  no  change  should  be  made  in  the  laws, 
the  place  was  peaceably  surrendered  to  the  American 
army.  Governor  Carlton  retired,  on  the  approach  of 
the  army,  to  his  flotilla,  in  the  river.  Preparations 
were  immediately  made  to  attack  him  with  floating 
batteries  ;  but  he  was  conveyed  in  a  boat,  with  muffled 

and  instructive  companion,  affectionate  in  his  domestic  rela- 
tions, and  just  in  all  his  dealings.  General  Hamilton  mar- 
vied  his  daughter. — Mien's  Biographical  Dictionary. 


LA  FAYETTE.  45 


oars,  in  the  night,  to  Quebec,  and  thus  escaped.  His 
flotilla,  however,  was  taken. 

Gen.  Montgomery  noW%repared,  with  the  utmost 
expedition,  to  proceed  against  Quebec  ;  but  a  circum- 
stance of  an  embarrassing  nature,  at  this  period,  occur- 
red. He  had  promised  a  considerable  number  of  his 
soldiers,  whose  term  of  enlistment  had  expired,  that  if 
they  would  proceed  with  him  to  Montreal,  no  objec- 
tion should  be  made  to  their  discharge.  To  his  ex- 
treme mortification,  notwithstanding  the  success  of  the 
expedition,  many  of  them  now  claimed  a  fulfilment  of 
this  promise.  He  offered  a  suit  of  clothes,  taken  in 
Montreal,  to  every  man  svho  would  re-enlist,  but  they 
could  not,  generally,  be  prevailed  on  to  do  so. 

It  was  necessary  to  have  a  small  corps  atChamblee, 
St.  John's,  and  Montreal,  in  order  to  secure  those  pla- 
ces. The  number  of  men  left  at  the  places  named, 
together  with  those  whose  term  of  service  had  expired, 
and  who  refused  to  re-enlist,  left  Gen.  Montgomery, 
with  an  army  of  little  more  than  three  hundred  men. 
to  follow  him  to  the  conquest  of  the  capital  of  Canada. 

Gen.  Washington  had  also  projected  an  expedition 
against  Quebec.  The  object  proposed  by  him,  was 
to  compel  Governor  Carlton,  the  commander  of  the 
whole  Canadian  force,  either  to  withdraw  his  army 
into  the  upper-country,  and  thus  afford  an  easy  passage 
for  the  Americans  ;  or,  if  he  remained  at  Montreal,  to 
take  possession  of  Quebec  before  Carlton  could  arrive 
there  for  its  defence. 

This  arduous  enterprize  was  committed  to  Colonel 
Arnold  ;  and  as  his  route  lay  through  a  considerable 
section  of  the  province  of  Canada,  its  success  depend- 
ed much  on  the  disposition  of  the  inhabitants  towards 
the  American  cause.  The  strictest  orders  were  given 
not  to  injure  a  Canadian  or  Indian,  in  person  or  pro- 
perty ;  and  manifestoes  were  distributed,  on  their 
march,  of  a  friendly  and  conciliatory  nature.  This 
conduct  gained  the  confidence  of  the  Canadians,  who 


46  MEMOIRS  OF 


very  much  assisted  Arnold  in  his  march  through  their 
Country.  During  the  whole  of  the  American  revolu- 
tion, no  expedition  was  planned  which  required  so 
much  hardihood  and  firmness  as  this.  The  army  was 
thirty- two  days  marching  through  a  wilderness,  with- 
out seeing  a  habitation,  or  a  human  being,  except  their 
own  party.  They  were  obliged  to  carry  their  batteaux 
on  their  shoulders  from  one  river  to  another,  and  to 
transport  their  baggage  across  deep  morasses,  through 
dense  forests,  an^  over  high  mountains.  After  the 
most  unexampled  privations  and  fatigue,  this  hardy  set 
of  men  arrived  at  Point  Levi,  opposite  Quebec,  on  the 
ninth  of  November.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  aston- 
ishment of  the  inhabitants,  on  seeing  this  army,  and 
understanding  that  they  had  marched  through  such  a 
hideous  wilderness.  The  city  of  Quebec  was  found 
to  be  in  a  defenceless  state,  and  could  Arnold  have 
entered  it  on  his  arrival,  no  defence  could  have  been 
made.     But  the  want  of  boats  made  this  impossible. 

One  of  his  Indian  runners,  whom  he  had  sent  with  a 
letter  to  Genera!  Montgomery,  had  also  been  intercep- 
ted, or  had  betrayed  him.  During  the  delay  which 
was  unavoidable,  Col.  McLean,  a  British  officer, 
aware  of  the  danger  to  which  Quebec  was  exposed, 
collected  a  considerable   force  and   entered  the  city. 

At  length  the  wind  having  moderated,  Arnold  deter- 
mined to  attempt  crossing  the  river.  In  this  he  suc- 
ceeded, and  ascending  the  precipice  at  the  same  place 
where  General  Wolfe  had  ascended  with  his  brave 
army,  he  formed  his  corps  on  the  plains  of  Abraham. 
It  was  now  proposed  by  the  commander  to  march  di- 
rectly to  Quebec  ;  but  in  this,  he  was  overruled  in  a 
council  of  war.  1 1  was,  however,  afterwards  ascertain- 
ed, that  had  this  been  done,  the  city  might  have  been 
entered  at  St.  John's  gate,  and  in  all  probability, 
would  have  surrendered,  notwithstanding  the  opposi- 
tion of  Col.  McLean's  party. 

Arnold  now  hoped  to  gain  admittance  through  the 


LA  FAYETTE.  47 


defection  of  the  garrison  ;  but  in  this  he  was  disap- 
pointed. Finding  on  examination,  that  his  riflemen 
had  not  more  than  ten  rounds  of  ammunition  per  man, 
and  that  his  infantry  had  but  six  rounds,  he  was  not  in 
a  situation  to  risk  an  engagement. 

Gen.  Montgomery,  having  clothed  his  naked  troops 
at  Montreal,  and  provided  clothing  for  those  of  Arnold, 
marched  directly  towards  Quebec.  But  before  his 
arrival,  Gov.  Carlton  had  entered  the  town,  and  was 
preparing  to  make  a  vigorous  defence,  having  assem- 
bled about  fifteen  hundred  men.  Montgomery's  force 
was  about  eight  hundred  men  ;  but  their  situation  was 
such  as  would  have  appalled  a  less  vigorous  mind. 
The  intense  cold  of  December  had  commenced,  and 
his  army  were  in  want  of  many  of  the  necessaries  of 
life,  miserably  supplied  with  the  munitions  of  war, 
and  encamped  in  the  open  air.  However,  depend- 
ing on  his  former  success,  the  courage  of  his  men,  and 
his  own  military  skill,  together  with  the  advice  and 
sagacity  of  Arnold,  he  determined  to  lay  siege  to  the 
town.  Accordingly,  a  battery  of  six  guns  was  opened 
on  it,  but  was  found  too  small  to  effect  a  breach  in  the 
wall. 

A  council  of  war  was  then  convened,  and  it  was  con- 
cluded, that  an  assault  was  the  only  mode  of  attack  in 
which  there  was  the  least  hope.  Preparations  having 
been  made,  on  the  31st  of  December,  1775,  between 
four  and  five  in  the  morning,  an  assault  was  made  in 
the  midst  of  a  violent  storm  of  snow.  Perhaps  an 
assault  was  never  more  skilfully  planned  than  this  : 
but,  just  at  the  moment,  when  success  seemed  certain, 
the  discharge  of  a  gun,  from  the  enemy 's  battery,  killed 
Gen.  Montgomery,*  Captains  McPhe'rson  and  Chcese- 

*  Richard  Montgomery,  a  major  general  in  the  army  ot* 
the  United  States,  was  bom  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  in  the 
year  1737,  He  possessed  an  excellent  genius,  which  was 
matured  by  a  fine  education.     Entering  the  army  of  threat 


4&  MEMOIRS  OF 


man,  and  two  soldiers  of  the  line,  on  the  spot.  In  a 
few  minutes  after  the  death  of  the  general,  Col.  Arnold. 

Britain,  he  successfully  fought  her  battles  with  Wolfe  at 
Quebec,  in  1759,  and  on  the  very  spot,  where  he  was  doom- 
ed to  fall,  when  fighting  against  her  under  the  banners  of 
freedom.  After  his  return  to  England,  he  quitted  his  regi- 
ment, in  1772,  though  in  a  fair  way  to  preferment.  He  had 
imbibed  an  attachment  to  America,  viewing  it  as  the  rising 
seat  of  arts  and  freedom.  After  his  arrival  in  this  country, 
he  purchased  an  estate  in  New  York,  about  a  hundred  miles 
from  the  city,  and  married  a  daughter  of  judge  Livingston. 
He  now  considered  himself  as  an  American.  When  the 
struggle  with  Great  Britain  commenced,  as  he  was  known 
to  have*  an  ardent  attachment  to  liberty,  and  had  expressed 
his  readiness  to  draw  his  sword  on  the  side  of  the  colonies, 
the  command  of  the  continental  forces  in  the  northern  de- 
partment was  entrusted  to  him  and  General  Schuyler  in  the 
fall  of  1775.  By  the  indisposition  of  Schuyler,  the  chief 
command  devolved  upon  him  in  October.  He  reduced  fort 
Chamblee,and  on  the  third  of  November  captured  St.  John's. 
On  the  twelfth,  he  took  Montreal.  In  December,  he  joined 
Col.  Arnold,  and  marched  to  Quebec.  The  city  was  be- 
sieged, and  on  the  last  day  of  the  year,  it  was  determined  to 
make  an  assault.  The  several  divisions  were  accordingly 
put  in  motion  in  the  midst  of  a  heavy  fall  of  snow,  which 
concealed  them  from  the  enemy.  Montgomery  advanced  at 
the  head  of  the  New  York  troops  along  the  St.  Lawrence, 
and  having  assisted  with  his  own  hands  in  pulling  up  the 
pickets  which  obstructed  his  approach  to  one  of  the  barriers, 
thnt  he  was  determined  to  force,  he  was  pushing  forwards, 
when  one  of  the  guns  ot  the  battery  was  discharged,  and  he 
was  killed,  with  his  two  aids.  This  was  the  only  gun  that 
was  fired,  for  the  enemy  had  been  struck  with  consternation, 
and  all  but  one  or  two  had  fled.  But  this  event  probably 
prevented  the  capture  of  Quebec.  When  he  fell,  Mont- 
gomery was  in  a  narrow  passage,  and  his  body  rolled  upon 
the  ice,  which  formed  by  the  side  of  the  river.  After  it 
was  found  the  next  morning  among  the  slain,  it  was  buried 
by  a  few  soldiers,  without  any  marks  of  distinction.     He 


LA  FAYETTE.  4tf 


who  was  also  leading  the  forlorn  hope,  against  another 
part  of  the  town,  received  a  musket  shot  in  his  leg, 
which  shattered  the  bone,  and  he  was  carried  off  the 
field.  Meantime,  Col.  Morgan,  at  the  head  of  the 
riflemen,  with  the  most  undaunted  bravery  and  ad- 
dress, removed  the  barriers  which  had  been  placed  in 
his  way,  and  entered  the  town.  But  it  being  still 
dark,  and  himself  an  entire  stranger  to  the  place,  it 
was  impossible  for  him  to  avoid  the  hazard  of  being 
hemmed  in  among  the  mazes  of  the  city,  he  therefore 
returned  to  the  barrier  which  he  had  passed,  and  was 
soon  joined  by  small  fragments  of  companies,  making 
in  the  whole  about  two  hundred  men.  With  this 
small  party,  with  Col.  Morgan  and  his  few  men  at 
their  head,  it  was  agreed  that  they  should  proceed, 
and,  if  possible,  make  themselves  masters  of  the  town. 
But  the  opposition,  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  was  so 
strong,  that  many  of  the  soldiers,  as  they  advanced, 
became  discouraged,  and  took  shelter  in  the  houses, 
where  they  remained,  in  spite  of  the  calls  of  their 
officers.  Besides  this,  owing  to  the  storm,  not  more 
than  one  in  ten  of  their  guns  could  be  used,  though 
the  men  were  particularly  directed  to  keep  the  wet 
from  their  locks. 


was  thirty  eight  years  of  age.  He  was  a  man  of  great  mili- 
tary talents,  whose  measures  were  planned  with  judgment  and 
executed  with  vigor.  With  undisciplined  troops,  who  were 
jealous  of  him  in  the  extreme,  he  yet  inspired  them  with  his 
own  enthusiasm.  He  shared  with  them  in  all  their  hard- 
ships, and  thus  prevented  their  complaints.  His  industry 
could  not  be  wearied,  nor  his  vigilance  imposed  upon,  nor 

Ullage  intimidated.  Above  the  pride  of  opinion,  when 
a  measure  was  adopted  by  the  majority,  though  contrary  to 
his  own  judgment,  he  gave  it  his  full  support.     By  the  direc- 

•  I  Congress,  a  monument  of  white  marble,  of  the  most 
beautiful  simplicity,  with  emblematical  devices,  was  executed 
by  Mr  Cassiers,  at  Paris,  and  it  is  erected  to  his  memory  in 
front  of  St.  Paul's  church,  New  York.^-Jlllen's  Biog.  JDic, 


50  MEMOIRS  OF 


Meantime  the  Canadian  forces  constantly  increased, 
until  this  bold  and  hazardous  enterprise  became  abso- 
lutely impossible,  and  at  10  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
the  Americans  surrendered  prisoners  of  war. 

The  Americans  lost,  in  the  attack,  about  sixty  men, 
killed  and  wounded,  and  three  hundred  and  forty  ta- 
ken prisoners.  The  remainder  of  the  army,  now  no 
longer  in  a  situation  to  continue  the  siege,  remained 
about  three  miles  from  Quebec,  where,  with  Col. 
Arnold  at  their  head,  they  kept  the  town  in  a  state  of 
blockade,  the  whole  winter,  and  reduced  it  to  great 
distress  for  want  of  provisions. 

When  the  news  of  Montgomery's  death  and  Arnold's 
defeat  reached  the  colonies,  it  produced  sensations  of 
regret  and  alarm,  proportionate  to  the  high  standing 
of  the  general,  and  the  magnitude  of  the  enterprise. 

Congress  resoived  to  raise  men  to  reinforce  the 
army,  in  Canada,  with  the  utmost  expedition.  An 
extra  bounty  was  offered  to  men  who  would  enlist 
for  this  service,  and  General  Lee,*  an  officer  of  high 

+ — ! 

*  Charles  Lee.  a  major  general  in  the  army  of  the  United 
States,  was  born  in  Wales  and  was  the  son  of  John  Lee,  a 
colonel  in  the  British  service.  He  entered  the  army  at  a 
very  earl}'  age  ;  but  though  he  possessed  a  military  spirit, 
he  was  ardent  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge.  He  acquired  a 
competent  skill  in  Greek  and  Latin,  while  his  fondness  for 
travelling,  mad«'  him  acquainted  with  the  Italian,  Spanish, 
German  and  French  languages.  In  1756,  he  came  to  A- 
merica,  and  was  engaged  in  the  attack  upon  Ticonderoga, 
in  July,  1758.  when  Abercrombie  was  defeated.  In  1762, 
he  bore  a  colonels  commission,  and  served  under  Burgoyne 
in  Portugal,  where  he  much  distinguished  himself.  Not 
long  afterwards,  he  entered  into  the  Polish  service.  Though 
he  was  absent  when  the  stamp  act  passed,  he  yet  by  his  let- 
ters, zealously  supported  the  cause  of  America.  In  the 
years  1771,  1772  and  i 773,  he  rambled  over  all  Europe, 
for  he  could  never  stay  long  in  one  place.  During  this  ex- 
cursion, he  was  engaged. with  an  officer  ia  Italy  in  aa  affair 


LA  FAYETTE.  51 


standing,  was  appointed  to  command  the  army  in  that 
province.     But  the  threatening  aspect  of  the  enemy 

of  honor,  and  he  murdered  his  antagonist,  escaping  himself 
with  the  loss  of  two  ringers.  Having  lost  the  favour  of  the 
ministry,  and  the  hopes  of  promotion,  in  conseqnence  of  his 
political  sentiments,  he  came  to  America,  in  November, 
1773.  He  travelled  through  the  country,  animating  the 
colonies  to  resistance.  In  1774,  he  was  induced,  by  the 
persuasion  of  his  friend,  General  Gates,  to  purchase  a  valu- 
able tract  of  land,  of  two  or  three  thousand  acres,  in  Berk- 
ley county,  Virginia.  Here  he  resided  tili  the  following 
year,  when  he  resigned  a  commission  which  he  held  in  the 
British  service,  and  accepted  a  commission  from  Congress, 
appointing  him  major  general.  He  accompanied  Washing- 
ton to  the  camp  at  Cambridge,  where  he  arrived,  July  2, 
1775,  and  was  received  with  every  mark  of  respect.  In  the 
beginning  of  the  following  year  he  was  despatched  to  New 
York,  to  prevent  the  British  from  obtaining  possession  of 
the  city  and  the  Hudson.  This  trust  he  execut  d  with 
great  wisdom  and  energy.  He  disarmed  all  suspicious  per- 
sons on  Long  Island,  and  drew  up  a  test,  to  be  offered  to 
every  one,  whose  attachment  to  the  American  cause  was 
doubted.  His  bold  measures  carried  terror  wherever  he 
appeared  He  seems  to  have  been  very  fond  of  this  appli- 
cation of  a  test ;  for  in  a  letter  to  the  president  of  Congress, 
he  informs  him,  that  he  had  taken  the  liberty  at  Newport  to 
administer  to  a  number  of  the  tories  a  very  strong  oath,  one 
article  of  which  was,  that  they  should  take  arms  in  defence 
•f  their  country,  if  called  upon  by  Congress,  and  he  recom- 
mends, that  this  measure  should  be  adopted  in  reference  to 
all  the  tories  in  America.  Those  fanatics,  who  might  refuse 
to  take  it,  he  thought  should  be  carried  into  the  interior. 
Being  sent  into  the  southern  colonies,  as  commander  of  all 
the  forces  which  should  there  be  raised,  he  diffused  an  ardor 
among  the  soldiers,  which  was  attended  with  the  most  salu- 
tary consequences.  He  was  very  active  in  giving  directions 
and  making  preparations  previously  to  the  unsuccessful  at- 
tack of  the  British  on  Sullivan's  island,  June  28,  1776.  In 
October,  by  the  direction  of  Congress,  he  repaired  to  th£ 


52  MEMOIRS  OF 


at  the  south,  was  the  cause  of  his  destination  being 
changed,  and  Maj.  Gen.  Thomas  was  ordered  to  Cana- 

norihern  army.  As  he  was  marching  from  the  Hudson, 
through  New  Jersey,  to  form  a  junction  with  Washington, 
in  Pennsylvania,  he  quitted  his  camp  in  Morris  county,  to 
reconnoitre.  In  this  employment,  he  went  to  the  distance 
of  three  miles  from  the  camp,  and  entered  a  house  for  break- 
fast. A  British  colonel  became  acquainted  with  his  situa- 
tion, by  intercepting  a  countryman,  charged  with  a  letter 
from  him,  and  was  enabled  to  take  him  prisoner.  He  was 
instantly  mounted  on  a  horse,  without  his  cloak  or  hat  and 
carried  safely  to  New  York.  He  was  detained  till  April  or 
May,  1778,  when  he  was  exchanged  for  General  Prescott, 
taken  at  Newport.  He  was  very  soon  engaged  in  the  bat- 
tle of  Monmouth.  Being  detached  by  the  commander  in 
•hief  to  make  an  attack  upon  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  Gen. 
Washington  was  pressing  forward  to  support  him,  on  the 
21  th  of  June,  when  to  his  astonishment,  he  found  him  re- 
treating, without  having  made  a  single  effort  to  maintain 
his  ground.  Meeting  him  in  these  circumstances,  without 
any  previous  notice  of  his  plans,  Washington  addressed  him 
in  terms  of  some  warmth.  Lee,  being  ordered  to  check  the 
enemy,  conducted  himself  with  his  usual  bravery,  and  when 
forced  from  the  ground  on  which  he  had  been  placed, 
brought  off  his  troops  in  good  order.  But  his  haughty  tem- 
per could  not  brook  the  indignity,  which  he  believed  to  have 
been  offered  to  him  on  the  field  of  battle,  and  he  addressed  a 
letter  to  Washington,  requiring  reparation  for  the  injury. 
He  was  on  the  thirtieth,  arrested  for  disobedience  of  orders, 
for  misbehavior  before  the  enemy,  and  for  disrespect  to  the 
commander  in  chief.  Of  these  charges,  he  was  found  guil- 
ty by  a  court  martini,  at  which  Lord  Sterling  presided,  and 
he  was  sentenced  to  be  suspended  for  one  year.  He  defend- 
ed himself  with  his  accustomed  ability,  and  his  retreat  seems 
to  be  justified  from  the  circumstance  of  his  having  advanced 
upon  an  enemy,  whose  strength  was  much  greater  than  was 
apprehended,  and  from  his  being  in  a  situation,  with  a  mo- 
rass in  his  rear  which  would  preclude  him  from  a  retreat, 
if  the  British  should  have  proved  victorious.     Bwt  his  ftis* 


LA  FAYETTE.  frS 


da.  It  was  understood  by  the  American  Congress, 
that  the  only  mode  of  gaining  Canada  would  be 
through  the  good  will  of  its  inhabitants  towards  their 
cause  ;  and  it  was  known,  that  a  considerable  propor- 
tion of  them  were  attached  to  the  provincial  interest 
It  so  happened,  however,  that  Arnold's  men  committed 
some  depredations  on  the  Canadians,  by  which  many 
of  them  became  highly  disaffected  ;  and  the  American 
cause,  in  Canada,  was  rather  declining,  when  Gen. 
Thomas  arrived.  He  reached  the  encampment  in 
May,  1776,  and  found  the  army  to  consist  of  nineteen 
hundred  men,  of  whom  less  than  one  thousand  were  fit 
for  duty,  and  of  these,  three  hundred  had  served  the 
time  of  their  enlistments,  and  insisted  on  being  imme- 
diately discharged.  The  Canadians  no  longer  showed 
any  disposition  to  assist  the  Americans.  The  river 
fet.  Lawrence  was  beginning  to  open,  and  the  moment 
it  should  become  navigable,  there  was  no  doubt  that 
the  enemy  would  be  reinforced.  Under  such  circum- 
stances, it  was  in  vain  to  think  of  continuing  the  siege 
of  Quebec.  Gen.  Thomas  (herefore  called  a  council, 
and  it  was  the  unanimous  opinion  of  the  officers,  that 

respectful  letters  to  the  commander  in  chief,  it  is  not  easy  to 
justify.  His  suspension  gave  general  satisfaction  to  the  ar- 
my, for  he  was  suspected  of  aiming  himself  at  the  supreme 
command.  After  the  result  of  his  trial  was  confirmed  by 
Congress,  in  January,  1780,  he  retired  to  his  estate  in  Berk- 
ley county,  Virginia,  where  he  lived  in  a  style  peculiar  to 
himself.  Glass  windows  and  plaster  would  have  been  ex- 
travagances in  his  house.  Though  he  had  for  his  compan- 
ions a  few  select  authors  and  his  doos,  yet  as  he  found  his 
situation  too  solitary  and  irksome,  i  e  sold  his  farm  in  the 
fall  of  1782,  that  in  a  different  abode  he  might  enjoy  the 
conversation  of  mankind.  He  went  to  Philadelphia,  and 
took  lodgings  in  an  inn.  After  being  three  or  four  days  in 
the  city,  he  was  seized  by  a  fever,  which  terminated  his  life, 
October  2,  1782.  The  last  words  which  he  uttered,  were, 
^standby  me,  my  brave  grenadiers." — Allen9* Biog.  Die. 

5* 


54  MEMOIRS  OF 


the  army  should  retire.  Having  retreated  as  far  as 
the  river  borel.  Gen.  Thomas  was  seized  with  the 
small  pox,  of  which  he  died.* 

Another  disastrous  event  happened  about  this  time, 
which  destroyed  all  hopes  of  making  Canada  an  Ame- 
rican province,  without  a  larger  army.  The  Ameri- 
cans occupied  a  military  post  at  a  place  called  the 
Cedars,  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  about  40  miles 
above  Montreal.  .  The  garrison  consisted  of  about 
400  men,  with  two  field  pieces,  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Bidel.  This  place  was  attacked  by  Gen.  Carl- 
ton, with  six  hundred  regular  troops,  Canadian?  and 
Indians,  in  the  absence  of  Col.  Bidel,  who  had  gone  to 
Montreal,  for  assistance  ;  the  officer  who  commanded, 
capitulated  with  the  enemy,  by  which  the  whole  party 
were  made  prisoners  of  war. 

General  Sullivan,  however,  arrived  at  the  post  on 
the  Sorel,  with  reinforcements,  and  assumed  the  com- 
mand. But  still  another  disaster  was  about  to  happea 
to  the  Americans  in  Canada. 

Gen.  Sullivan  detached  Gen.  Thompson,  with  about 
two  thousand  men,  to  attack  a  party  of  the  enemy, 
who  were  encamped  at  a  place  called  Three  Rivers. 

*  John  Thomas,  a  major  general  in  the  American  army, 
served  in  the  wars  against  the  French  and  Indians  with  rep- 
utation. In  1775,  he  was  appointed  by  Congr  ss  a  briga- 
dier general,  and  during  the  siege  of  tJoston,  he  commanded 
a  division  of  the  provincial  troops  at  Roxbury.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year,  he  was  appointed  major  general,  and  after  the 
death  of  Montgomery,  was  entrusted  with  the  command  in 
Canada.  He  joined  the  army  before  Quebec  on  the  first  of 
May,  but  soon  found  it  necessary  to  raise  the  siege,  and 
oommence  his  retreat.  He  died  of  the  small  pox  at  Cham- 
blee,  May  30,  1776.  On  his  death,  the  command  devolved 
for  a  few  days  on  Arnold,  and  then  on  Gen.  Sullivan.  He 
was  a  man  of  sound  judgment  and  fixed  courage,  who  was 
beloved  by  his  soldiers,  and  amiable  in  the  relations  of  pri- 
vate life. — Allen's  Biogrctphicai  Dictionary. 


LA  FAYETTE.  55 


Tins  part)  was  suppled  to  amount  to  about  nine  hun- 
dred .:en,  but  was  afterwards  found  to  be  nearly  dou- 
ble that  number.  The  plan  of  attack  was  well  laid 
by  Gen.  Thompson,  but  in  his  way  to  that  place,  his 
party  was  discovered  by  the  enemy's  ships,  then  just 
arrived  with  troops,  in  the  river  St.  Lawrence.  The 
enemy  landed  a  number  of  field  pieces,  and  intercep- 
ted the  Americans,  drove  them  into  a  deep  morass, 
and  finally  took  Gen.  Thompson,  Col.  Irwin,  and 
about  -200  men  prisoners. 

The  expected  reinforcements  from  England  having 
now  arrived,  the  ro\al  army  in  Canada  amounted 
nearly  to  twenty  thousand  men.  These  troops  were 
the  flower  of  the  British  army  ;  were  in  the  most  per- 
fect state  of  discipline,  and  had  been  inured  to  the  du- 
ties of  the  camp.  Among  the  officers  who  commanded 
them,  were  Generals  Burgoyue,  Phillips.  Frazer.  Carl- 
ton, Nesbit  and  Reidesel. 

The  whole  of  the  American  forces  then  in  Canada, 
amounted  to  about  eight  thousand  men.  But  of  these, 
hardly  one  half  were  effective,  being  worn  down  with 
fatigue  and  privations,  and  many  of  them  sick  in  the 
hospitals.  Under  these  circumstances.  Gen.  Sulli- 
van perceived  that  a  retreat  furnished  the  only  hope 
of  saving  his  army  from  the  hands  of  the  enem> .  Tins 
was  effected  with  much  military  skill  ;  but  only  just 
in  tune  to  escape  from  the  enemy,  who  closelv  pursu- 
ed the  Americans. 

Thus  terminated  the  bold,  and  at  one  time,  promis- 
.ing,  enterpnze,  of  annexing  Canada  to  the  United  Pro- 
vinces. It  seems  to  have  failed  in  consequence  of  a 
number  of  incidents  which  could  not  have  been  tore- 
seen,  and  some  of  which  were,  in  themselves,  of  little 
or  no  importance.  Thus  the  arrival  of  Arnold  at  Que- 
bec, a  few  days  sooner  or  later,  could  not  have  been 
thought  an  important  circumstance,  nor  would  it  have 
been,  in  the  course  of  events  whi<  h  ordinarily  occur. 
The  wind  which  prevented  his  crossing  the  river  -;  the 


MEMOIRS  OF 


inter*  epiion    of'  Geneial  Sullivan's*  part),  by  troops 
just   then  arrived  from  England  ;  the  death  of  Mont- 

*  John  Sullivan,  LL.  D.  major  general  in  the  American 
army,  and  president  of  Nvw  Hampshire,  was  appointed  by 
Congress  a  brigadier  general,  ii>  1775  and  in  the  following 
year,  it  is  believed,  a  major  general  He  superseded  Ar- 
nold in  the  command  of  the  army  in  Canada,  June  4,  1776, 
but  was  soon  driven  out  of  that  province.  He  afterwards, 
on  the  illness  of  Greene,  took  the  command  of  his  division 
on  Long  Island.  In  the  battle  of  August  '^7th,  he  was  taken 
prisoner  with  Lord  Stirling.  In  a  few  months,  however,  he 
was  exchanged,  for  when  Lee  was  carried  off,  he  took  the 
command  of  his  division  in  New  Jersey,  on  the  20th  of  De- 
cember. On  the  22d  of  August,  1  77,  he  planned  and  ex- 
ecuted an  e  pedition  against  Staten  Island,  tor  which,  on  an 
inquiry  into  his  conduct,  he  received  the  approbation  of  the 
court.  In  September,  lie  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Brandy  wine  and  on  the  4tli  of  October  in  that  of  German- 
town  in  the  winter,  he  was  detached  to  command  the 
troop*  in  Rhode  Island.  In  August  1778,  he  laid  siege  to 
Newport,  then  in  the  hands  of  the  British,  with  the  fullest 
confidence  of  success;  but  being  abandoned  by  the  French 
fleet,  under  D'Estaing,  who  sailed  to  Boston,  be  was  obliged, 
to  his  unutterable  chagrin  to  raise  the  siege.  On  the  2^th^ 
an  action  took  place  with  the  pursuing  enemy,  who  were  re- 
pulsed On  the  .jOth,  with  great  military  skill,  he  pas-ed 
over  to  the  continent,  without  the  loss  of  a  single  article, 
and  without  the  slightest  suspicion,  on  the  part  ol  the  British, 
of  his  movements.  In  the  summer  of  I  7  <  9,  he  commanded 
an  expedition  against  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians  in  New 
York.  Being  joined  by  General  Clinton,  on  the  i26  of  Au»  , 
gust,  he  matched  towards  he  enemy,  under  the  command  of 
Brandt,  the  Butlers  nd  others,  at  Newtown,  between  the 
south  end  of  Seneca  lake  and  Tioga  river,  attacked  them  in 
their  works,  and  complet  Iy  dispersed  them.  He  then  laid 
waste  the  country,  destroyed  all  their  villages,  and  left  not  a 
single  vestige  of  human  industry.  This  severity  was  neces- 
saiy  to  prevent  their  ravages.  Gen  S  Ilivan  had  made 
such  high  demands  for  military  stores,  and  had  so  freely 
complained  of  the  government  for  inattention  to  those  de- 


LA  FAYETTE.  53 


gomery  and  Thomas  ;  and  the  sickness  of  the  troops  ; 
were  a  succession  of  disasters,  for  which  no  calculation 
could  have  been  made,  and  which  seem  to  have  deci- 
ded this  unfortunate  undertaking.  A  committee  of 
Congress,  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of  these 
failures,  did  not  attach  blame  to  any  of  the  command- 
ing officers  of  the  expedition. 

During  the  period  of  time  occupied  by  the  Cana- 
dian war,  the  southern  colonies  were  by  no  means  in- 
active. 

Lord  Dunmore,  governour  of  Virginia,  who  had  ta- 
ken arm*  against  the  liberty  of  his  own  colony,  had 
collected  a  considerable  number  of  tories,  runaway 
slaves,  and  freed  apprentices,  and  furnished  them  with 
arms,  and  was  carrying  on  a  predatory  war  against  its 
peaceable  citizens.  Considering  his  party  ol  sufficient 
strength,  he  attempted  to  burn  the  town  of  Hampton, 
but  was  repulsed  with  loss.  His  lordship  then  pro- 
claimed martial  law,  and  commanded  all  persons  capa- 
ble of  military  duty,  to  repair  forthwith  to  the  ro^al 
standard.  These  transactions  being  known  at  VVil- 
liamsburg.  a  regiment  of  regulars  was  detached  against 
him.  Both  parties  threw  up  small  fortifications  near 
each  other,  where  they  continued  a  few  days  without 
any  movement.  His  lordship  then  in  a  tit  of  eSntempt 
for  American  courage,  sent  about  sixty  grenadiers  to 
"  .I.  i  ,  ^ 

inands,  as  to  give  much  offence  to  some  members  of  Con- 
gress, and  to  the  board  of  war.  He  in  consequence  res'i£n- 
«d  his  command  on  the  9th  of  November.  He  was  after- 
wards a  member  of  Congress,  in  the  years  1786,  17  7, 
and  1789,  he  w  s  president  of  New  Hampshire,  in  which 
station,  by  his  vigorous  exer'ions  he  quelled  the  spiiit  of  in- 
surrection, which  exhibited  itself  at  the  time  of  the  troubles 
in  Massachusetts.  In  October,  1789,  he  was  appointed 
district  judge  of  New  Hampshire.  He  died  at  his  s-  at  in 
Durham,  January  23,  1795,  aged  fifty  four  years.— Men'* 
Biog.  Dictionary, 


58  MEMOIRS  OF 


storm  the  works  of  the  provincials,  and  clear  the  way 
for  the  rest  of  his  army.  But,'  contrary  to  his  expec- 
tation, the  provincials  being  on  the  alert,  and  ready  to 
receive  them,  poured  so  dreadful  a  fire  on  the  ap- 
proaching enemy,  that  great  numbers  were  killed  on 
the  spot,  and  his  Lordship  was  repulsed  with  the  loss 
of  every  one  of  his  grenadiers,  who  were  either  killed 
or  wounded. 

The  town  of  Norfolk  was  burnt  on  the  night  of  Dec. 
9th,  1776.  It  is  said  that  the  British  determined  on 
this  art  in  consequence  of  some  American  soldiers 
having  fired  into  a  vessel  belonging  to  their  squadron, 
which  lay  in  the  harbour.  .The  houses  along  the 
■ho re  were  set  on  fire  by  a  party  which  landed  under 
cover  of  a  heavy  cannonade  from  their  shipping.  The 
fire  was  continued  by  order  of  the  Virginian  conven- 
tion, through  fear,  that  if  the  town  was  left  standing, 
the  British  would  make  it  a  strong  and  permanent  post. 
Thus  was  destroyed,  one  of  the  most  flourishing  and 
populous  towns  to  Virginia. 

In  North  Carolina,  Governour  Martin  entertained 
hope*  ot  being  abte  to  reduce  that  colony  to  royal 
obedience.  Having  collected  a  considerable  army, 
consisting  of  disaffected  persons,  tories  and  Irishmen, 
recently  arrived,  he  appointed  an  Irish  emigrant,  by 
the  name  of  McDonald,  their  general.  This  party, 
being  in  number  about  fifteen  hundred,  took  post  at  a 
place  called  Crop  Creek,  and  began  to  show  a  warlike 
disposition.  General  Moore  immediately  marched 
against  them,  with  a  regiment  of  regulars  and  a  few 
militia.  McDonald  retreated  with  great  precipitation^ 
but  was  surrounded,  and  obliged  to  risk  a  battle,  in 
which  several  of  the  leaders  were  killed  ;  this  filled 
the  whoie  party  with  panic,  and  they  lied  in  all  direc- 
tions. 

This  victory  was  of  great  service  to  the  American  ■ 
cause  in   South  Carolina.     It  broke  up  and  dispersed 
a  rabble  which  was  likely  to  do  much  mischief ;  and 


LA  FAYETTE.  59 


at  the  same  time,  gave  courage  to  many  of  the  colo- 
nists, who  were  fearful  that  the  American  cause  could 
not  be  supported  in  their  colony. 

In  February  of  this  year,  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with 
the  British  fleet,  arrived  at  Charleston ;  and  on  the 
28th  of  that  month,  the  Bristol  and  Experiment,  two 
fifty  gun  ships,  the  Solebay,  Acteon  and  Syren,  of 
twenty  eight  guns  each,  the  Sphynx,  of  twenty  two 
guns,  and  the  Thunder,  bomb  ketch,  all  took  their  sta- 
tion before  the  town.  At  about  eleven  o'clock  on 
that  day,  they  opened  a  most  tremendous  cannonade 
and  bombardment  on  the  fort  at  Sullivan's  Island. 
But  owing  to  the  low  situation  of  the  fort,  and  the 
materials  of  which  it  was  constituted,  little  effect  was 
produced.  These  materials  were  dirt  and  Palmetto 
wood,  which  wood,  when  struck  with  lead,  does  not 
splinter,  but  closes  upon  it.  The  mortars  in  the  bomb 
ketch  became  injured  by  overcharging,  and  soon  were 
useless.  This  was  arxoccasion  of  great  joy  to  the  as- 
sailed. At  no  time  did  the  provincials  ever  display 
more  determined  courage  than  on  this  occasion. 
Every  gun  from  he  fort  was  aimed  in  a  manner  as 
deliberate  and  exact,  as  though  the  garrison  had  been 
trying  their  skill  at  a  target;  and  although  the  tiring 
was  not  rapid,  the  execution  was  terrible.  During 
the  action,  all  the  powder  at  the  fort  was  expended, 
and  the  guns  were  for  a  few  moments  silent.  Gen. 
Lee,  who  commanded  on  this  occasion,  crossed  over 
to  the  fort,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  situation  of  the 
men,  and  whether  it  was  necessary  to  make  prepara- 
tions to  withdraw  them  to  the  shore.  But  he  found 
them  united  in  the  determination  to  give  up  the  fort 
only  with  their  lives;  and  he  returned  with  admira- 
tion of  the  veteran  like  courage  which  he  had  witnes- 
sed. The  engagement  continued  until  night  made  a 
suspension  necessary.  IN  or  were  the  royal  ships  in 
much  condition  to  continue  the  action  longer.  The 
Bristol  lost  one   hundred   and  eleven  men,  and  the 


60  MEMOIRS  OF 


Experiment  seventy  nine.  Capt.  Scott,  of  the  Bristol, 
lost  his  arm,  and  Capt.  Morris,  of  the  Experiment, 
was  mortally  wounded.  Lord  Campbell,  who  served 
as  a  volunteer,  was  also  mortally  wounded.  The  loss 
of  the  Americans  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  only 
thirty  five. 

About  nine  in  the  evening,  the  British  fleet  slipped 
their  cables,  and  sailed  for  New  York  ;  all  attempts  on 
the  southern  colonies  being  for  the  present  relin- 
quished. 

Gen.  Lee  obtained  great  reputation  for  the  military 
skill  with  which  he  conducted  this  defence  ;  and  Col. 
Moultrie,*  who  commanded  the  fort,  a  id  Col.  Thomy- 
soo,  received  great  and  merited  praise  for  their  gal- 
lantry on  this  occasion. 
.1  ■  ■  .        . .  i  .        »» 

*  William 'Moultrie,  governour  of  South  Carolina,  and  a 
major  general  in  the  American  war,  was  devoted  to  the  ser- 
vice of  his  country  from  an  early  period  of  his  life.  In  the 
Cherokee  war,  in  1760,  he  was  a  volunteer,  with  many  of 
his  respectable  countrymen,  under  the  command  of  Gover- 
nour  Lyttleton.  He  was  afterwards  in  another  expedition, 
under  Colonel  Montgomery.  He  then  commanded  a  com- 
pany in  a  third  expedition,  in  1761,  which  humbled  the 
Cherokees,  and  brought  them  to  terms  of  peace.  He  was 
among  the  foremost  at  the  commencement  of  the  late  revo- 
lution, to  assert  the  liberties  of  his  country,  and  braved  every 
danger  to  redress  her  wrongs  His  manly  firmness,  intre- 
pid zeal,  and  cheerful  exposure  of  every  thin?,  which  he 
possessed,  added  weight  to  his  counsels,  and  induced  others 
to  join  him.  In  the  beginning  of  the  war,  he  was  colonel  of 
the  second  regiment  of  South  Carolina.  His  defence  of 
Sullivan's  island,  with  three  hundred  and  forty  four  regulars, 
and  a  few  militia,  and  his  repulse  of  the  British,  in  their  at- 
tack upon  the  fort,  June  28,  1776  covered  him  with  honour. 
In  consequence  of  his  good  conduct  he  received  he  unani- 
mous thanks  of  Congress,  and  in  compliment  to  him,  the 
fort  was  from  that  time  callvd  fort  Moultrie.  In  1779,  he 
gained  a  viciory  over  the  British,  in  the  battle  near  Beaufort. 


LA  FAYETTE.  61 


Having  thus  given  some  account  of  the  military 
transactions  at  the  north  and  south,  it  is  necessary 
now  to  turn  our  attention  to  the  movements  of  the 
middle  colonies. 

Immediately  after  the  royal  army  had  evacuated 
Boston,  Gen.  Washington  hastened  with  the  main 
body  of  his  army  to  New  York.  He  conceived  that 
the  grand  efforts  of  the  British  would  probably  be  di- 
rected up  the  Hudson,  and  had  determined  to  watch 
their  movements  with  vigilance.  The  possession  of 
New  York  by  the  enemy,  was  an  event  greatly  to  be 
dreaded,  not  only  on  account  of  its  own  importance, 
but  also  as  furnishing  a  facility  to  penetrate  up  the 
Hudson.  But  as  they  had  the  command  of  the  har- 
bour, it  was  difficult  to  prevent  their  landing,  without 
a  force  by  land  sufficient  to  oppose  them  in  open  com- 
bat. Hulks  were  therefore  sunk  to  obstruct  the  pas- 
sage of  ships  up  the  Hudson,  and  the  narrows  were 
strongly  fortified  on  both  sides  of  the  river. 

But  Washington  saw  with   regret  that  his  effective 


After  the  city  surrendered,  he  was  sent  to  Philadelphia.  In 
1782,  he  returned  with  his  countrymen,  and  was  repeatedly 
chosen  governour  of  the  state,  till  the  infirmities  of  age  in- 
duced him  to  withdraw  to  the  peaceful  retreat  of  domestic 
life.  He  died  at  Charleston,  September  27.  1805,  in  the 
seventy  sixth  year  of  his  age.  The  glory  of  his  honourable 
services  was  surpassed  by  his  disinterestedness  and  integrity. 
An  attempt  was  once  made  on  the  part  of  the  British,  to 
bribe  him,  and  he  was  thought  to  be  more  optui  to  corrup- 
tion, as  he  had  suffered  much  in  his  private  fortune.  But 
resolving  to  share  the  fate  of  his  country,  he  spurned  the 
offers  of  indemnification  and  preferment,  which  were  made 
him.  He  was  an  unassuming,  easy,  affable  companion, 
cheerful  Mid  sincere  in  his  friendships.  He  published  me- 
moirs of*  the  American  revolution,  so  far  as  it  related  to 
,North  and  South  Carolina,  and  Georgia,  2  vols.  8vok  1802. 
This  work  is  principally  a  collection  of  letters,  written  by 
civil  and  military  officers,  in  the  time  of  the  wai\ — Allen's 
Biog.  Die. 


tJ2  MEMOIRS  OF 


force  would  be  insufficient  for  the  efforts  he  deemed  it 
necessary  to  make.  The  number  of  posts  to  be  de- 
fended was  so  great,  that  the  power  of  his  army  at  any 
one  point,  must  be  greatly  weakened  by  such  divis- 
ions. Besides  these  discouragements,  the  army  was 
in  want  of  guns,  clothing,  powder,  tents,  and  indeed,  of 
almost  all  the  munitions  of  war. 

On  a  representation  of  these  facts,  a  resolution  pas- 
sed Congress,  to  strengthen  the  regular  army,  by  rais- 
ing thirteen  thousand  eight  hundred  militia,  in  the  col- 
onies of  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  New  York  and 
New  Jersey. 

About  this  time,  a  plot  was  discovered,  of  an  odious 
and  very  alarming  nature.  It  was  formed  by  Gov. 
Try-on,  through  the  agency  of  the  Mayor  of  New  York, 
and  its  object  was  no  less  than  the  seizure  of  Gen. 
Washington,  and  delivering  him  over  to  the  enemy. 
Some  of  the  American  arm)  was  concerned  in  it.  At 
the  same  time,  another  plot,  for  the  same  purpose, 
was  forming  in  Albany*  Both  were  discovered  in 
time  to  be  defeated,  and  the  ring-leaders  were  brought 
to  the  justice  they  deserved. 

U  Hitherto,"  says  Judge  Marshall,  "the  war  had 
been  carried  on  with  the  avowed  wish  to  obtain  a  re- 
dress of  grievances.  The  utmost  horror  at  the  idea  of 
attempting  independence  had  been  expressed,  and  the 
most  anxious  desire  of  establishing  on  its  ancient  prin- 
ciples, the  union  which  had  so  long  subsisted  between 
the  two  countries,  was  openly  and  generally  declared. 
But  however  sincere  the  wisti  to  retain  a  political 
connexion  with  Great  Baitain  might  have  been,  at  the 
commencement  of  the  conflict,  the  operation  of  hostil- 
ities on  that  sentimeot  was  infallible-  To  profess  al- 
legiance and  respect  for  a  monarch,  who  was  believed 
to  be  endeavouring,  by  force  of  arms,  to  wrest  from 
them  all  that  rendered  life  valuable .;  whilst  every 
possible  effort  was  making  by  arms  to  repel  the  at- 
tempt, began  to  be  felt  as  an  absurdity,  and  to  main- 


LA  FAYETTE.  63 


tain  such  a  system  was  impossible."  %i  When  the  ap- 
peal was  first  made  to  arms,  and  the  battle  of  Lexing- 
ton was  fought,  a  great  majority  of  those  who  guided 
the  councils,  and  ledthe  battalions  of  America,  wished 
only  for  a  repeal  of  the  obnoxious  acts  of  Parliament, 
which  had  occasioned  their  resistance  to  the  authority 
of  the  crown  ;  and  they  would  have  been  truly  unwil- 
ling to  venture  into  the  unexplored  regions  of  self- 
government." 

But  these  prejudices  and  these  feelings  were  totally 
incompatible  with  the  present  state  of  things.  No 
subject  can  ever  love  or  respect  a  monarch,  who  pro- 
poses to  him  to  take  away  either  his  liberty  or  his  life, 
and  who,  with  arms  in  his  hand,  shows  himself  deter- 
mined to  enforce  his  command.  It  was  well  known 
to  the  colonists,  that  immense  preparations  were  ma- 
king in  England,  to  bring  the  American  Colonies  to  a 
state  in  which  they  could  no  longer  resist  any  of  her 
claims.  In  all  probability  she  would  tax  them  until 
they  had  paid  the  utmost  farthing  she  had  expended  in' 
effecting  their  subjection.  Add  to  this,  the  consider- 
ation of  the  burning  of  houses,  destruction  of  property 
and  lives,  sometimes  wantonly,  by  the  British  soldiery  : 
and  no  man  in  his  senses,  could  think  of  ever  submit- 
ting to  such  authority. 

Some  of  the  colonists,  therefore,  began  to  think  of 
independence  ;  and  this  subject  soon  became  a  lead- 
ing topic  of  conversation,  and  excited  a  general  wish 
that  it  might  be  attained. 

Congress  at  the  same  time,  knowing  the  sentiments 
of  the  people,  began  to  take  higher  ground.  Their 
language  respecting  the  British  government,  was  no 
longer  in  the  tone  of  loyal  subjects.  The  assumption 
of  authority  began  to  characterize  their  doings;  and 
their  acts  purported  to  emanate  from  a  body  posses- 
sing the  highest  power  in  America.  General  letters 
of  marque  and  reprisal  were  granted,  and  the  Amen 


6&  MEMOIRS  OF 


can  ports  were  opened  to  all  nations  and  people,  not 
subject  to  the  British  crown. 

But  a  measure  of  congress,  adopted  on  the  6th  of 
May  1776,  was  considered  as  deciding  the  disposition 
of  that  body,  in  favour  of  disavowing  all  allegiance  to 
Great  Britain.  Before  that  time,  each  colony  had 
adopted  temporary  forms  of  government,  to  continue 
only  during  the  contest ;  this  course  having  been  re- 
commended by  Congress.  But  now  Mr.  John  Adams. 
Mr.  Rutledge,  and  Mr.  Richard  Henry  Lee,  were  ap- 
pointed by  that  body  to  frame  a  preamble  to  resolu- 
tions, recommending  generally  to  the  colonies  to  adopt 
a  system  of  government  without  limitation  of  time, 
and  which  should  be  adequate  to  existing  circumstan- 
ces. 

A  part  of  the  preamble  was  in  these  words : 
"  Whereas  his  Brittanic  Majesty,  in  conjunction  with 
the  Lords  and  commons  of  Great  Britain,  has,  by  a 
late  act  of  parliament,  excluded  the  inhabitants  of  the 
United  Colonies  from  the  protection  of  the  crown  ; 
and  whereas  no  answer  whatever  to  the  humble  peti- 
tions of  the  colonies  for  redress  of  grievances,  and  re- 
conciliation with  GTeat  Britain,  has  been,  or  is  likely 
to  be  given ;  but  the  whole  force  of  the  kingdom, 
aided  by  foreign  mercenaries,  is  to  be  exerted  for  the 
destruction  of  the  good  people  of  these  colonies  ;  and 
whereas  it  appears  absolutely  irreconcilable  with  rea- 
son and  good  conscience,  for  the  people  of  these  colo- 
nies now  to  take  the  oaths  and  affirmations  necessary 
for  the  support  of  any  government  under  the  crown  of 
Great  Britain  ;  and  it  is  necessary  that  the  exercise  of 
every  kind  of  authority  under  said  crown,  should  be 
totally  suppressed  ;  therefore  resolved,  that  it  be  re- 
commended to  the  respective  assemblies  and  conven- 
tions of  the  United  Colonies,  where  no  government 
sufficient  for  the  exigencies  of  their  affairs  hath  been 
already  established,  to  adopt  such  government  as  shall, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  representatives  of  the  people. 


LA  FAYETTE.  <55 


best  conduce  to  the  happiness  and  safety  of  their  con- 
stituents in  particular,  and  America  in  general." 

The  step  recommended  by  Congress  was  so  deci- 
sive, that  several  of  the  colonies  at  first  hesitated 
whether  it  should  be  adopted.  But  public  opinion 
was  in  favour  of  the  decision  which  Congress  had 
made  ;  and  all  the  Colonies  finally  adopted  the  plan 
of  government  recommended. 

The  time  was  now  fast  approaching,  when  the  great 
and  decisive  step  was  to  be  taken.     The  people  in  all 
parts  of  the  country  were   impatient  openly  to  throw 
ofFall  allegiance  to  his  Brittanic  Majesty,  and  declar- 
ed themselves  ready  to  support  their  independence 
with  their  fortunes  and  their  swords.     Several  of  the 
State  conventions  instructed  their  representatives  in 
Congress,  to  move  resolutions  declaring  the   United 
Colonies  free  and  independent.     Under  this  general 
state  of  feeling,  the  following  resolution  was  moved  in 
Congress,   by  Richard   Henry  Lee,  and  seconded  by 
John  Adams  ;  "  Resolved  that  these  United  Colonies 
are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,   free  and  independent 
States  ;    and    that   all    political   connexion   between 
then*.,  and  the  state  of  Great  Britain,  is  and  ought  to 
be  totally   dissolved."     This  resolution,   which  was 
read  on  the  7th  of  June  1  <  76,  was  referred  to  a  com- 
mittee of  the  whole  Congress,  where  it  was  debated 
daily.     Copies  of  it  were  sent   to   the  state  conven- 
tions requesting  instructions  to  their  delegates  in  Con- 
gress.      All    the  colonies    except  Pennsylvania  and 
Maryland  immediately  expressed  their  approbation  of 
the  measure.     In  both  these  colonies,  the  friends  of 
independence  made  the  strongest  exertions  to  obtain 
the  consent  of  their  conventions  to  favour  the  resolu- 
tion.    The  apprehension  of  which  they  availed  them- 
selves, that  those  colonies  which  did  not  join  in  this 
last  and  most  important  step,  would  be  left  out  of  the 
Union,  was  an  argument  which  produced  the  desired 
6* 


66  MEMOIRS  OF 


effect;  and  on  the  28th  of  June  these  provinces  di- 
rected their  representatives  to  assent  to  the  resolution. 

Having  thus  obtained  the  consent  of  all  the  provin- 
ces, the  declaration  of  independence  which  had  al- 
ready been  prepared  was  read,  commented  on,  and 
finally  passed,  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  Congress. — 
While  this  most  important  step  was  preparing  in  the 
American  cabinet,  great  exertions  were  making  for  its 
defence  in  the  field.  The  British  administration  had 
become  convinced,  from  the  effects  of  continental 
arms  on  their  troops,  that  America  could  be  made  to 
submit,  only  by  a  force  vastly  superior  to  any  thing 
they  had  yet  sent  against  her.  While  the  colorrists, 
having  declared  themselves  a  nation  free  and  inde- 
pendent, had  determined,  in  virtue  of  this  assertion,  to 
repel  every  hostile  invasion  of  their  territories,  and 
every  encroachment  on  their  rights  as  citizens.  As 
had  been  predicted  by  Washington,  the  movements  of 
the  British  army  now  evinced  that  an  attempt  would 
be  made  to  ascend  the  Hudson. 

Lord  Howe  who  on  the  evacuation  of  Boston,  re- 
tired to  Halifax,  had  now  arrived,  with  his  whole  ar- 
my, at  New  York.  Here,  although  he  had  seen  the 
declaration  of  independence,  he  sent  letters  to  the  late 
govcrnours  of  the  provinces,  offering  terms  of  pacifica- 
tion, and  proclaiming  pardon  to  such  persons  as  had 
violated  their  allegiance,  provided  they  would  imme- 
diately return  to  their  duty.  These  letters  were  put 
into  circulation,  by  such  friends  of  royalty  among  the 
Colonists,  as  had  not  yet  convinced  themselves  that 
Great  Britain  had  no  right  to  them  as  slaves.  These 
circulars,  so  far  from  producing  what  was  designed, 
actually  produced  an  effect  entirely  opposite  ;  and  so 
salutary  was  their  influence  in  favour  of  the  American 
cause,  that  Congress  ordered  their  publication  in  all 
the  newspapers  in  the  colonies.  Meantime  reinforce- 
ments from  England  and  Germany  were  arriving  daily, 
and  the  British  army  from  the  South  had  joined  Gen- 


LA  FAYETTE.  67 


oral  Howe.  His  force  was  now  estimated  at  about 
twenty-four  thousand  men. 

The  American  army,  including  the  regular  troops 
and  militia,  amounted  to  about  twenty-seven  thousand 
men.  One  fourth  part  of  this  number  was  sick  and 
unable  to  do  duty.  A  portion  of  this  army  was  sta- 
tioned on  Long  Island,  under  the  command  of  Major 
General  Sullivan.  The  residue  occupied  different 
stations  in  the  neighbourhood  of  New  York,  viz.  on 
York  Island,  on  Governour's  Island,  at  Powles-hook. 
and  East  and  West  Chester.  An  attack  from  the 
enemy  was  now  daily  expected,  and  Washington  ex- 
erted all  his  faculties  in  preparing  for  it.  He  visited 
every  post,  and  encouraged  the  men  to  show  to  the 
British  and  to  the  world,  with  what  firmness  freemen 
defended  their  liberties.  In  his  orders,  he  says,  "  the 
time  is  now  near  at  hand,  which  must  probably  deter- 
mine  whether  Americans  are  to  be  freemen  or  slaves  ; 
whether  they  are  to  have  property  they  can  call  their 
own  ;  whether  their  houses  and  farms  are  to  be  pilla- 
ged and  destroyed,  and  themselves  consigned  to  a  state 
of  wretchedness,  from  which  no  human  efforts  will  de- 
liver them.  The  eyes  of  all  our  countrymen  are  nuw 
upon  us,  and  we  shall  have  their  blessings  and  praises, 
if  happily  we  are  the  instruments  of  saving  them  from 
the  tyranny  meditated  against  them." 

To  the  officers,  he  recommended  the  greatest  possi- 
ble coolness  during  the  action  ;  to  the  soldiers,  the 
strictest  obedience  to  orders.  As  the  time  approach- 
ed when  Washington  had  every  reason  to  believe  a 
great  and  perhaps  decisive  engagement  was  to  take 
place,  his  anxiety  and  vigilance  increased. 

Just  before  the  landing  of  the  enemy  on  Long  Isl- 
and, in  an  address  to  the  army,  he  says  "  Be  ready  for 
action  at  a  moment's  call,  and  when  called  into  it,  re- 
member that  liberty,  property,  life  and  honour,  are  all 
at  stake  ;  that  upon  your  courage  and  conduct  rest 
the  hopes  of  your  bleeding  and  insulted  country  :  that 


68  MEMOIRS  OF 


your  wives,  children  and  parents,  expect  safety  from 
you  only  ;  and  that  we  have  every  reason  to  believe 
that  Heaven  will  crown  with  success  so  just  a  cause." 
He  then  gave  explicit  orders  that  any  soldier,  who 
should  attempt  to  conceal  himself  in  time  of  battle, 
should  be  shot  down  on  the  spot. 

The  movements  of  the  enemy  indicated  that  an  at- 
tack was  soon  to  be  made,  and  as  the  defence  of  Long 
Island  was  intimately  connected  with  the  safety  of 
New  York,  a  strong  reinforcement  was  sent  over  to 
General  Sullivan. 

Early  in  the  morning  on  the  22d  of  July  1776,  the 
principal  part  of  the  British  troops,  with  Col.  Donop's 
corps  of  Chasseurs  and  Hessian  grenadiers,  with  forty 
pieces  of  cannon,  landed  on  Long  Island,  at  a  short 
distance  from  the  narrows.  This  division  of  the  army 
was  commanded  by  Lieutenant  General  Clinton. 

Major  General  Putnam*  was  now  directed  to  take 


*  Israel  Putnam,  a  major  general  in  the  army  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  was  born  at  Salem,  Massachusetts,  January  7, 
1718.  His  mind  was  vigorous,  but  it  was  never  cultivated 
by  education.  When  he  for  the  first  time  went  to  Boston, 
he  was  insulted  for  his  rusticity  by  a  boy  of  twice  his  size. 
After  bearing  his  sarcasms  until  his  good  nature  was  ex- 
hausted, he  attacked  and  vanquished  the  unmannerly  fellow 
to  the  great  diversion  of  a  crowd  of  spectators.  In  running, 
leaping,  and  wrestling  he  almost  always  bore  away  the  prize. 
In  1739  he  removed  to  Fbmfret,  in  Connecticut,  where  he 
cultivated  a  considerable  tract  of  land.  He  had  however  to 
encounter  many  difficulties,  and  among  his  troubles  the  de- 
predations of  wolves  upon  his  sheepfold  was  not  the  least. 
In  one  night  seventy  fine  sheep  and  goats  were  killed.  A 
she  wolf,  who  with  her  annual  whelps  had  for  several  years 
infested  the  vicinity,  being  considered  as  the  principal  cause 
of  the  havoc,  Mr.  Putnam  entered  into  a  combination  with 
a  number  of  his  neighbours  to  hunt  alternately,  till  they 
should  destroy  her.  At  length  the  hounds  drove  her  into 
her  den,  and  a  number  of  persons  soon  collected  with  guns, 


LA  FAYETTE.  69 


command  at  Brooklyn,  with  a   reinforcement  of  six 
regiments,  and  was  ordered  to  be  in  constant  readiness 


straw,  fire,  and  sulphur  to  attack  the  common  enemy.  But 
the  dogs  were  afraid  to  approach  her,  and  the  fumes  of  brim- 
stone could  not  force  her  from  the  cavern.  It  was  now  ten 
o'clock  at  night.  Mr.  Putnam  proposed  to  his  black  servant 
to  descend  into  the  cave  and  shoot  the  wolf;  but  as  the  ne- 
gro declined,  he  resolved  to  do  it  himself.  Having  divested 
himself  of  his  coat  and  waistcoat,  and  having  a  long  rope 
fasten  d  round  his  legs,  by  which  he  might  be  pulled  back  at 
a  concerted  signal,  he  entered  the  cavern  head  foremost  witb 
a  blazing  torch,  made  of  strips  of  birch  bark,  in  his  hand. 
He  descended  fifteen  feet,  passed  along  horizontally  ten  feet, 
and  then  began  the  gradual  ascent,  which  is  sixteen  feet  in 
length.  He  slowly  proceeded  on  his  hands  and  knees  in  an 
abode,  which  was  silent  as  the  ouse  of  death.  Cautiously 
glancing  forwards,  he  discovered  the  glaring  eyeballs  of  the 
wolf,  who  started  at  the  sight  of  his  torch,  gnashed  her  teeth, 
and  gave  a  sullen  growl.  He  immediately  kicked  the  rope? 
and  was  drawn  out  with  a  friendly  celerity  and  violence, 
which  not  a  little  bruised  him.  Loading  his  gun  with  nine 
buck  shot,  and  carrying  it  in  one  hand,  while  he  held  the 
torch  with  the  other  he  descended  a  second  time.  As  he 
approached  the  wolf,  she  howled,  rolled  her  eyes,  snapped 
her  teeth,  dropped  her  head  between  her  legs,  and  was  evi- 
dently on  the  point  of  springing  at  him.  At  this  moment 
he  fired  at  her  head,  an=«  soon  found  himself  drawn  out  of 
the  cave.  Having  refreshed  himself  he  again  descended, 
and  seizing  the  wolf  by  her  ears  kirked  the  rope,  and  his 
companions  above  with  no  small  exultation  dragged  them 
both  out  together.  During  the  French  war  he  was  appoint- 
ed to  command  a  company  of  the  first  troops,  which  were 
raised  in  Connecticut  in  1755.  He  rendered  much  service 
to  the  army  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Crown  Point.  In 
1756,  while  near  Ticonderoga,  he  was  repeatedly  in  the 
most  imminent  danger.  He  escaped  in  an  adventure  of  one 
night  with  twelve  bullet  holes  in  his  blanket.  In  August  he 
was  sent  out  with  several  hundred  men  to  watch  the  mo- 
tions of  the  enemy,     Being  ambuscaded  by  a  party  of  equal 


70  MEMOIRS  OF 


for  an  attack.     On  the  25th,  Lieutenant  General  De 
Heister  landed  with  two  brigades  of  Hessians,  and  took 


numbers,  a  general  buf  irregular  action  took  place.  Putnam 
had  discharged  his  fusee  several  times,  but  at  length  it  missed 
fire,  while  its  muzzle  was  presented  to  the  breast  of  a  sav- 
age. The  warrior  with  his  lifted  hatchet  and  a  tremendous 
war  whoop  compelled  him  to  surrender  and  then  bound  him 
to  a  tree.  In  the  course  of  the  action  the  parties  changed 
their  position,  so  as  to  bring  this  tree  directly  between  them. 
The  balls  flew  by  him  incessantly  ;  many  struck  the  tree, 
and  some  passed  through  his  clothes.  The  enemy  now 
gained  possession  of  the  ground,  but  being  afterwards  driven 
from  the  field  they  carried  their  prisoner  with  them.  At 
night  he  was  stripped  and  a  fire  was  kindled  to  roast  him 
alive  ;  but  a  French  officer  saved  him  The  next  day  he 
arrived  at  Ticonderoga,  and  thence  he  was  carried  to  Mon- 
treal. About  the  year  1759  he  was  exchanged  through  the 
ingenuity  of  his  fellow  prisoner,  Col.  Schuyler.  When 
peace  took  place  e  returned  to  his  farm.  He  was  plough- 
ing in  his  field  in  i  775,  when  he  heard  the  news  of  the  bat- 
tle of  Lexington.  He  immediately  unyoked  his  team,  left 
his  plough  on  the  spot,  and  without  changing  his  clothes  set 
off  for  Cambridge.  He  soon  went  back  to  Connecticut, 
levied  a  regiment,  and  repaired  again  to  the  camp.  In  a 
little  time  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major  general. — 
In  the  battle  of  Bunkers  hill  he  exhibited  his  usual  intrepid- 
ity. He  directed  the  men  to  reserve  their  fire,  till  the  ene» 
my  was  very  near,  reminded  them  of  their  skill,  and  told 
them  to  take  good  aim.  They  did  so,  and  the  execution 
was  terrible.  After  the  retreat,  he  made  a  stand  at  Winter 
hill  and  drove  back  the  enemy  under  cover  of  their  ships. 
When  the  army  was  organized  by  Gen.  Washington  at  Cam- 
bridge, Putnam  was  appointed  to  command  the  reserve.  In 
August  1776  he  was  stationed  at  Brooklyn,  on  Long  Island. 
After  the  defeat  of  our  army  on  the  27th  of  that  month,  he 
went  to  New  York  and  was  very  serviceable  in  the  city  and 
neighbourhood.  In  October  or  November  he  was  sent  to 
Philadelphia  to  fortify  that  city.  In  January  1777  he  was 
directed  to  take  post  at  Princeton,  where  he  continued  unfil 


LA  FAYETTE.  7) 


post  at  Flatbush,  where  he  was  reinforced  by  Lord 
Cornwallis  in  the  evening. 

On  the  26th  the  British  army  was  posted  as  follows  5 
the  Hessians  under  De  Heisler  in  the  centre  :  on  the 
right  was  the  main  body  of  the  army,  commanded  by 
General  Clinton.  Earl  Percy,  and  Lord  Cornwallis  ; 
and  on  the  lef  M  kjorGenei  il  Grant's  division. 

spring.     At  this  place  a  sick    prisoner,  a  captain,  requested 
that  a  friend  in  the  Biitisli  army  at  Brunswick  might  be  sent 
for  to  assist  him  in  making  his  will      Putnam  was  perplex- 
ed.    He  had  but  fifty  men  under  his  command,  and  he  did 
not  wish  to  have  his  weakness  known  ;  yet  he  was  unwil- 
ling to  deny  the  request.     He  however  sent  a  flag  of  tiuce^ 
and  directed  the  officer  to  be  brought  in  the  night.     In  the 
evening  lights  were  placed  in  a)]  the  college   windows,  and 
in  every  apartment  of  the  vacant  houses  throughout  'he 
town.     The  officer  on  his   return  report*  d  that  Gen.  Put* 
nam's  army  could  not  consist  of  ess,  than  four  or  five  thou- 
sand men.     In  the  spring  he  was  appointed  to  the  command 
of  a  separate  army  in  the  highlands  of  New   York.     One 
Palmer,  a  lieutenant  in  the  tory  new  levies,  was  detected  in 
the  camp  ;  Gov.  Tryon  reclaimed   him  as  a  British  officer, 
threatening  vengeance  if  he  was  not  restored.     General  Put- 
nam wrote  the  following  pithy  reply  ;  "  Sir,  Nathan  Palm- 
er, a  lieutenant  in  your  king's  service,  was  taken  in  my  camp 
as  a  spy  ;  he  was  tried  as  a  spy  ;  he  was   condemned  as  a 
spy  ;  and  he  shall    b<*  hanged  as  a  spy.     P.  S.   Afternoon. 
He  is  hanged."     After  the  loss  0/   fort  Montgomery,  the 
commander  in  chief  determined  to  build  another  fortifica- 
tion, and  he  directed  Putnam  to  fix  upon  a   spot.     To  h  m 
belongs  the  praise  of  having  chosen  West  Point.     The  cam- 
paign of  1779,  which  was  principally  spent  in  strengthening 
the  works  at  this  place,  finished   the  military  cateer  of  Put- 
nam.    A  paralytic  affection   impaired   the  activity  of  his 
body,  and  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  retirement, 
retaining  his  relish  for  enjoyment,  his  love  of  pleasantry,  his 
strength  of  memory,  and  all  the  faculties  of  his  mind.     He 
died  at  Brooklyn,  Connecticut,  May  29,  1 790,  aged  seventy- 
tw«  years. — Allen's  Biographical  Dictionary. 


72  MEMOIRS  OF 


The  two  armies  were  now  within  five  or  six  miles 
of  each  other,  but  separated  by  a  range  of  hills. 

Soon  after  daylight  on  the  27th,  General  Sullivan, 
who  commanded  all  the  troops  without  the  lines,  pro- 
ceeded with  a  body  of  New  England  troops  towards 
.Flatbush,  intending  to  guard  a  pass  through  the  hills. 
At  the  same  time,  Lord  Sterling  was  ordered  to  meet 
the  enemy,  who  was  advancing  on  the  road  from  the 
narrows.  In  the  morning  De  Heister's  division  be- 
gan to  cannonade  the  troops  under  General  Sullivan. 
Meanwhile  the  British  right  had  got  in  rear  of  the 
American  line,  and  Gen.  Sullivan  found  it  was  time  to 
retreat  from  his  position  ;  but  in  doing  this  he  encoun- 
tered the  front  of  the  British  line.  It  was  then  that 
the  Americans  saw  the  dangers  of  their  situation,  and 
found  that  they  were  surrounded. 

An  attempt  was  therefore  made  to  escape  to  the 
camp  at  Brooklyn,  with  the  utmost  celerity  ;  but  this 
was  found  difficult.  Clinton  and  the  main  body  of 
his  army  attacked  them  in  the  rear,  while  they  were 
flying  before  De  Heister.  A  succession  of  skirmishes 
took  place  in  the  woods,  in  which  some  of  the  Ameri- 
can army  forced  their  way  through  the  enemy,  and  re- 
gained the  lines.  Others  escaped  under  cover  of  the 
woods;  but  a  considerable  proportion  of  Sullivan's 
and  Lord  Sterling's  detachments  were  either  taken  or 
killed. 

The  loss  to  the  American  army  on  this  occasion  was 
very  considerable.  Numbers  were  supposed  to  have 
been  drowned  in  a  creek,  and  some  were  suffocated  in 
•i  marsh.  The  number  lost  could  not  be  accurately 
known  ;  but  Washington  did  not  admit  that  it  was 
more  than  a  thousand.  Among  the  prisoners  were 
Major  General  Sullivan,  Lord  Sterling,*  and  General 


*  William  Alexander,  commonly  called  lord  Stirling,  a 
major  general  in  the  American  army,  was  a  native  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  bnt  spent  a  considerable   part  of  his  life 


LA  FAYETTE.  ?$ 


Woodhull.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  stated,  by 
General  Howe,  to  have  been  twenty-one  officers,  and 
three  hundred  and  forty  six  privates,  killed,  wounded, 
and  taken. 

During  the  action,  General  Washington  crossed 
over  from  New  York  and  saw,  with  inexpressible  an- 
guish, the  destruction  in  which  his  best  troops  were 
involved.  Should  he  attempt  to  reinforce  them  from 
the  camp  at  Brooklyn,  the  camp  itself  might  be  lost, 
and  thus  the  whole  division  be  destroyed.  Should  he 
bring  over  the  battalions  remaining  at  New  York,  his 
number  would  not  then  be  equal  to  that  of  the  enemy  ; 
and  consequently,  to  hazard  a  general  engagement  at 
the  risk  of  losing  all,  was,  in  his  view,  altogether  inex- 
pedient. He  was  therefore  compelled  to  witness  the 
death  of  some  of  his  best  soldiers,  without  making  any 
attempt  to  save  them, 

in  New  Jersey.  He  was  considered  by  many  as  the  right- 
ful heir  to  the  title  and  estate  of  an  earldom  in  Scotland,  of 
which  country  his  father  was  a  native  5  and  although,  when 
he  went  to  North  Britain  in  pursuit  of  this  inheritance,  he 
failed  of  obtaining  an  acknowledgment  of  his  claim  by  gov- 
ernment ;  yet  among  his  friends  and  acquaintances  he  re- 
ceived by  courtesy  the  title  of  lord  Stirling.  He  discovered 
an  early  fondness  for  the  study  of  mathematics  and  astrono- 
my, and  attained  great  eminence  in  these  sciences. 

In  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  August  27,  1776,  he  was  ta-„ 
ken  prisoner,  after  having  secured  to  a  large  part  of  the  de- 
tachment an  opportunity  to  escape  by  a  bold  attack  with 
four  hundred  men  upon  a  corps  under  lord  Cornwallis.  His 
attachment  to  Washington  was  proved  in  the  latter  part  of 
1777  by  transmitting  to  him  an  account  of  the  disaffection 
of  Gen.  Conway  to  the  commander  in  chief.  In  the  letter 
he  said,  "  Such  wicked  duplicity  of  conduct  I  shall  always 
think  it  my  duty  to  detect." 

He  died  at  Albany,  January  15,  1783,  aged  57  years. — 
He  was  a  brave,  discerning,  and  intrepid  officer. — Allen's 
Biographical  Dictionary. 

7 


74  MEMOIRS  OF 


The  situation  of  the  army  on  Long  Island  now  be- 
came critical.  The  enemy,  having  a  formidable  train 
of  artillery,  could  destroy  their  works  at  Brooklyn  ;  in 
which  case  the  whole  division  must  fall  into  their 
hands.  It  was  therefore  determined  to  withdraw  the 
troops  to  New  York.  This  difficult  movement  was 
effected  on  the  night  of  the  28th,  with  such  despatch 
and  silence,  that  the  enemy  never  suspected  it  until 
morning. 

This  victory  over  the  Americans  greatly  dispirited 
the  whole  army,  and  threw  a  gloom  over  the  counte- 
nances of  all  the  friends  of  liberty. 

Gen.  Washington  thus  describes  the  state  of  the 
army,  after  this  event,  in  a  letter  to  Congress.  "  Our 
situation  is  truly  distressing.  The  check  our  detach- 
ment sustained  on  the  27th,  has  dispirited  too  great  a 
proportion  of  our  troops,  and  filled  their  minds  with 
apprehension  and  despair.  The  militia,  instead  of 
calling  forth  their  utmost  efforts  to  a  brave  and  manly 
opposition,  in  order  to  repair  our  losses,  are  dismayed, 
intractable,  and  impatient  to  return  home.  Great 
numbers  of  them  have  gone  oft", — in  some  instances, 
almost  by  whole  regiments,  in  many,  by  battalions, 
and  by  companies  at  a  time." 

Washington  had  frequently  remonstrated  with  Con- 
gress against  substituting  militia  for  enlisted  men.  Ex- 
perience had  repeatedly  shown,  that  in  time  of  action, 
no  dependence  could  be  placed  on  militia.  The  pres- 
ent instance  was  so  convincing  a  proof  of  what  he  had 
said,  that  Congress  now  passed  an  act  to  raise,  by  en- 
listment, for  three  years,  or  during  the  war,  eighty- 
eight  battalions  of  men.  Immediately  after  his  victo- 
ry on  Long  Island,  Lord  Howe  offered  to  negociate 
with  Congress,  in  conformity  with  his  powers  as  a 
commissioner  for  making  peace.  Congress  according- 
ly appointed  a  committee,  who  waited  on  his  lordship 
at  Staten  Island,  to  be  informed,  how  far  his  powers 
extended,  and  what  terms  he  had  to  propose.     His 


LA  FAYETTE.  75 


lordship  prefaced  his  terms,  by  informing  the  gentle- 
men, that  his  majesty  and  ministers  were  exceedingly 
well  disposed  towards  the  American  colonies,  and  that 
they  wished  to  make  the  government  of  this  country 
as  easy  to  the  people  as  possible.  He  also  intimated, 
that,  in  case  of  submission,  the  offensive  acts  of  par- 
liament should  be  reversed,  and  the  instructions  to 
govemours  be  reconsidered. 

The  committee,  in  answer,  gave  it  as  their  opinion, 
that,  in  the  present  state  of  things,  submission  to 
Great  Britain  was  not  to  be  expected.  That  the  colo- 
nies had  petitioned  without  obtaining  redress,  and  that 
they  now  considered  themselves  as  free  and  indepen 
dent  states. 

His  lordship  answered,  that  he  regretted  to  find 
that  no  accommodation  was  likely  to  take  place,  and 
dissolved  the  meeting. 

The  royal  army  having  got  possession  of  Long  Isl- 
and, Washington  began  to  doubt  the  propriety  of  at- 
tempting to  maintain  his  position  at  New  York.  His 
whole  force  did  not  exceed  25,000  men,  and  of  these 
not  more  than  18,000  were  fit  for  duty.  The  British 
could  bring  against  him  a  much  greater  number  of 
veteran  troops,  and  in  all  respects  superior.  But  the 
great  danger  of  remaining  on  York  Island  was,  that 
the  enemy  would  probably  take  post  in  the  rear,  while 
the  shipping  would  guard  the  front,  and  thus  force  the 
American  army  to  an  engagement  on  their  own  termsT 
or  to  surrender  at  discretion. 

It  was  therefore  concluded  to  evacuate  New  York, 
and  to  remove  the  baggage  and  military  stores  to  a 
place  of  safety.  While  preparations  were  making  for 
the  army  to  move,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  landed  with 
about  four  thousand  men,  at  a  place  called  Kip's  bay. 
three  miles  above  New  York.  Works  had  been 
thrown  up  at  this  place,  to  oppose  the  landing  of  the 
enemy,  but  the  troops  stationed  to  defend  them,  ter- 
rified by  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  ships,  under  which  the 


MEMOIRS  OF 


landing  was  effected,  fled  with  precipitation.  It  now 
only  remained  to  withdraw  the  residue  of  the  Ameri- 
can army  from  the  city.  This  was  effected  with  the 
loss  of  only  a  few  men,  killed  and  wounded  in  a  skir- 
mish at  Bloomingdale.  All  the  heavy  artillery,  how- 
ever, together  with  a  large  proportion  of  the  baggage, 
provisions  and  tents,  were  unavoidably  abandoned. 
This  was  a  heavy  and  irreparable  loss.  The  tents  in 
particular,  were  a  loss  which  was  most  severely  felt, 
as  the  season  was  approaching,  when  the  men  would 
suffer  without  them. 

The  enemy  now  took  possession  of  the  city,  and 
posted  the  main  body  of  their  army,  so  as  to  extend 
quite  across  York  Island,  and  near  the  American  lines. 
Washington  had  fortified  Kingsbridge  with  great  care, 
that  he  might  preserve  a  communication  with  the  con- 
tinent ;  and  at  this  place,  his  army  presented  the 
strongest  point  in  their  line. 

The  two  armies  being  now  intrenched  near  each 
other,  frequent  skirmishes  took  place  between  small 
parties,  sometimes  in  sight  of  both  iines.  In  one  of 
these,  the  Americans  had  obviously  the  advantage, 
having  killed  and  wounded  twice  the  number  they  lost. 
This  little  affair  had  quite  an  effect  on  the  whole  army. 
It  was  the  first  success  they  had  obtained  during  this 
campaign.  It  showed,  too,  that  in  fair  combat,  Ameri- 
can troops  could  stand  before,  and  vanquish  their 
royal  enemies.  The  armies  did  not  long  remain  in 
this  position.  Gen.  Howe's  plan  was  either  to  force 
Washington  out  of  his  lines,  or  to  enclose  him  in  them. 
With  this  view,  he  landed  a  considerable  part  of  his 
army  at  Frog's  Neck,  and  began  to  throw  up  intrench- 
ments,  to  obstruct  the  movement  of  the  American  ar- 
my into  the  country. 

The  commander  in  chief,  aware  of  the  plan  of  his 
adversary,  moved  his  army  to  White  Plains,  where 
hasty  intrenchments  were  thrown  up,  to  make  his  situ- 
ation as  defensible  as  possible.     To   this  place  the 


LA  FAYETTE.  77 


British  army  followed,  and  on  viewing  Washington's 
situation,  Gen.  Howe  determined  to  possess  himself  of 
a  bill,  which  covered  the  right  flank  of  the  American 
army.  Gen.  McDougal  had,  by  order  of  Washington, 
thrown  up  a  slight  intrenchment  at  this  place,  and  was 
then  in  possession  of  it,  with  about  sixteen  hun- 
dred men,  principally  militia.  Gen.  Howe  direc- 
ted that  a  brigade  of  Hessians,  by  taking  a  circuitous 
route,  should  attack  Gen.  McDougal  in  the  rear, 
while  a  brigade  of  British  troops,  the  Hessian  grena- 
diers, and  a  battalion  of  Hessians  should  attack  him  in 
front.  McDougal's  militia  soon  fled,  but  his  regulars 
sustained  the  attack  with  great  gallantry.  The  attack, 
as  well  as  the  defence,  was  very  animated,  and  a 
sharp  and  bloody  conflict  ensued,  in  which  the  enemy- 
gained  possession  of  the  ground  in  dispute. 

In  this  action,  the  Americans  lost,  in  killed,  wound- 
ed and  missing,  upwards  of  three  hundred  men. 

Gen.  Washington  now  expected,  that  the  enemy 
would  attempt  his  line  of  intrenchments,  and  the  sick 
and  baggage  were  removed  into  his  rear,  and  the  night 
was  spent  in  making  preparations  for  an  event  which 
might  destroy  the  whole  American  army,  or  perhaps 
settle  the  independence  of  the  United  Colonies. 

Gen.  Howe,  perceiving  that  the  industry  of  the 
Americans,  during  the  night,  had  greatly  strengthened 
their  position,  postponed  the  attack  until  the  arrival  of 
Lord  Percy,  with  six  battalions  from  New  York. 
This  reinforcement  arrived  on  the  29th  of  October, 
and  preparations  were  made  for  a  general  engage- 
ment on  the  next  day,  but  a  violent  storm  of  rain  oc- 
casioned further  delay.  Mean  time,  on  the  night  of 
the  30th,  Washington,  not  satisfied  with  his  position, 
silently  withdrew  to  the  heights  of  North  Castle,  five 
miles  from  White  Plains. 

Gen.  Howe,  deeming  it  imprudent  to  attempt  to 
force  so  strong  a  position,  broke  up  his  camp  at  White 
Plains,  and  moved  to  New  York. 

7* 


78  MEMOIRS  OF 


Washington  saw  that  his  next  attempt  would  proba- 
by  be  on  Fort  Washington,  a  strong  fortification,  situ 
ated  on  the  North  River,  and  calculated  to  defend  the 
river  against  the  ascent  of  the  enemy.  This  fort  was 
entrusted  to  the  command  of  Col.  Morgan,  an  office r 
in  whom  great  confidence  was  placed. 

On  the  1 5th  of  November,  Gen.  Howe,  having  every 
thing  prepared  for  the  attack,  formally  summoned 
Fort  Washington  to  surrender,  on  pain  of  putting  the 
garrison  to  the  sword.  Col.  Morgan  replied,  that  he 
should  defend  it  to  the  last  extremity,  and  immediately 
communicated  the  summons  to  Gen.  Greene,  at  Fort 
Lee,  and  to  Washington,  who  was  then  at  Hackensack. 
The  commander  in  chief  immediately  set  out  to  visit 
the  fort,  but  met  Generals  Greene  and  Putnam  return- 
ing from  it,  who  reported,  that  the  garrison  was  in 
high  spirits,  and  would  make  good  their  defence.  Not- 
withstanding the  strength  of  this  place,  Gen.  Howe 
resolved  to  carry  it  by  storm. 

The  attack  was  commenced  at  10  o'clock,  Nov.  16, 
Gen.  Howe  commanding  in  person.  The  assault  was 
made  at  four  different  quarters  of  the  fort  at  the  same 
time.  The  Americans  received  them  with  great  gal- 
lantry, until,  their  out-posts  being  over-powered  by 
numbers,  were  driven  into  the  fort. 

Having  now  possession  of  the  lines,  the  British 
commander  again  summoned  the  garrison  to  surrender. 
Col.  Morgan,  finding  that  his  ammunition  was  nearly 
exhausted,  and  that  the  fort  was  too  small  to  contain 
all  the  men,  surrendered  the  garrison  prisoners  of 
war. 

This  was  one  of  the  greatest  losses  the  Americans 
experienced  during  the  war.  Two  thousand  men 
were  taken  in  the  fort,  and  the  number  killed  was  not 
known,  probably  they  amounted  to  several  hundreds. 
The  loss  on  the  side  of  the  enemy  was  eight  hundred 
killed. 

The  enemy  followed  up  this  success  by  marching 


LA  FAYETTE.  79 


immediately  towards  Fort  Lee,  situated  between  the 
Hudson  and  Hackensack  rivers.  At  first  it  was  deter- 
mined to  give  them  battle,  but  it  was  soon  discovered, 
that  their  numbers  were  such  as  to  leave  little  hope 
of  success  in  the  field.  A  retreat  was  therefore  con- 
cluded on,  and  effected  only  just  in  time  for  the  escape 
of  the  men  ;  most  of  the  heavy  artillery,  a  quantity  of 
military  stores,  and  three  hundred  tents  being  left  in 
possession  of  the  enemy. 

Washington  now  took  post  along  the  Hackensack 
river,  but  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  dispute  the  pas- 
sage of  the  enemy.  He  was  in  a  level  country,  with- 
out an  intrenching  tool,  and  his  army  had  been  redu- 
ced by  the  termination  of  enlistments,  desertion,  and 
the  surrender  of  Fort  Washington,  to  three  thousand 
men. 

This  was  a  gloomy  period  of  the  American  cause. 
Even  this  small  army  was  not  provided  with  the  ne- 
cessaries of  a  soldier.  Tents,  blankets  and  clothing 
were  wanting  to  render  the  men  comfortable.  Some 
of  them  were  bare  footed  and  others  half  naked,  with 
no  covering  at  night,  in  the  month  of  November.  In 
aiich  a  state  of  things,  it  was  in  vain  to  think  of  resist- 
ing the  enemy.  The  very  existence  of  his  army  was 
considered  by  Washington  to  be  in  peril.  He  in  vain 
applied  for  reinforcements  from  the  neighbouring 
states.  But  the  cause  of  the  country,  at  this  period, 
appeared  in  some  sections,  to  be  nearly  forsaken.  In 
others,  the  militia  were  overawed  by  the  strength  of 
the  British  army,  and  entirely  refused  to  obey  the  or- 
ders to  embody. 

Under  these  circumstances,  Washington  retreated 
to  Newark,  in  New  Jersey.  The  enemy  pursuing  him 
from  post  to  post,  he  continued  his  retreat  to  Trenton. 
The  enemy  at  the  same  time,  fixed  his  head  quarters 
at  Brunswick. 

On  the  8th  of  December,  the  pursued  army  crossed 
the  Delaware,  just  as  the  pursuing  army  came  in  sight. 


80  MEMOIRS  OF 


Car©  had  been  taken  to  secure  all  the  boats  for  many 
miles  on  the  river,  and  to  break  down  the  bridges  on 
the  road.  The  enemy  had,  however,  repaired  the 
bridges,  and  only  wanted  some  means  of  crossing  the 
Delaware,  to  invest  Philadelphia,  or  completely  sur- 
round the  American  army.  In  this  exigency,  Gen. 
Washington  strongly  and  repeatedly  desired  Gen. 
Lee  to  join  him  with  his  division.  But  the  latter  offi- 
cer, choosing  rather  to  maintain  his  separate  com- 
mand, moved  slowly  and  reluctantly,  in  the  rear  oi' 
the  enemy.  While  on  the  march,  he  lodged  in  a 
house,  with  only  a  small  guard,  three  miles  from  his 
army.  Information  of  this  being  given  to  Col.  Har- 
court,  of  the  royal  army,  he  proceeded  to  the  place, 
and  surrounded  the  house,  before  his  approach  was 
known.  The  general  having  no  means  of  defence, 
surrendered,  as  prisoner  of  war.  This  misfortune 
made  a  very  serious  impression  on  the  American  ar- 
my, and  was  particularly  regretted  by  Washington, 
who  had  a  very  high  respect  for  his  military  talents 
and  bravery. 

Gen.  Sullivan,  on  whom  the  command  of  Lee's  di- 
vision now  devolved,  joined  Washington  promptly, 
and  on  the  same  day  he  was  reinforced  by  Gen.  Gates, 
with  a  part  of  the  northern  army.  H»s  effective  force 
was  now  increased  to  seven  thousand  effective  men. 

Gen.  Howe  having  failed  in  all  his  attempts  to  ob- 
tain boats  to  transport  his  army  over  the  Delaware, 
retired  to  winter  quarters.  From  the  position  and 
distribution  of  his  army,  it  was  however,  most  proba- 
ble, that  his  intention  was  to  avail  himself  of  the  ice 
during  the  winter,  and  having  crossed  the  river,  to 
make  an  attempt  on  Philadelphia. 

The  aspect  of  affairs  at  this  time,  was  most  unfortu- 
nate to  America.  The  losses  of  the  last  campaign  had 
been  great  and  discouraging.  In  some  parts  of  the 
country,  the  people  clamoured  against  the  comman- 
der in  chief,  and  attributed  his  want  of  success  to  want 


LA  FAYETTE. 


of  abilities.  Washington  was  well  aware  that  there 
existed  impressions  against  him,  and  that  the  cause  of 
his  country,  as  well  as  his  own  reputation,  must  suffer 
under  such  repeated  misfortunes.  He  therefore  form- 
ed a  design  on  the  enemy,  which  if  successful,  would 
retrieve  the  losses,  he  had  sustained,  and  give  the  af- 
fairs of  the  country  a  much  more  favorable  aspect. 

Howe  had  quartered  his  army  in  a  very  dispersed 
situation  along  the  Delaware,  viz.  at  Trenton,  Bur- 
lington, bordentown,  &c. 

Washington  had  formed  the  daring  plan  of  attacking 
at  once  all  the  British  posts  on  the  Delaware.  With 
this  view,  Gen.  Irvine*  was  ordered  to  cross  the  Dela- 
ware at  Trenton,  and  secure  the  bridge  below,  so  as 
to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  enemy  that  way.  Gen. 
Cadwalader  was  to  carry  the  post  at  Burlington,  while 
Washington  in  person  took  command  of  a  division  a- 
gainst  Trenton. 

In  consequence  of  the  difficulty  of  crossing  the  riv- 
er, those  parts  of  the  plan  entrusted  to  Generals  Ir- 
vine and  Cadwalader  entirely  failed.  But  General 
Washington  was  completely  successful.     The  British 


*  William  Irvine,  a  brave  officer  in  the  American  war. 
was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  was  educated  for  the  medical 
profession,  which  he  relinquished  at  the  commencement  of 
the  revolution.  He  had  an  early  command  in  the  army,  and 
in  the  expedition  to  Canada,  in  1775,  was  conspicuous  for 
his  talents  and  bravery.  In  the  operations  in  the  middle 
states,  during  the  remainder  of  the  war,  he  was  consulted  by 
the  commander  in  chief,  and  was  particularly  obnoxious  to 
the  enemy.  After  the  war,  he  was  a  member  of  Congress 
from  Pennsylvania.  He  died  at  Philadelphia,  July  30, 
1804,  aged  sixty -three  years.  Major  General  Irvine  held 
for  some  time  before  his  death,  the  office  of  military  inten- 
dant.  He  was  also  president  of  the  Cincinnati  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Frank  and  sincere,  he  paid  respect  to  none  but 
those  whom  he  deemed  worthy,  and  those  for  whom  he  had 
no  regard,  he  shunned  in  silence. — Allen's  Biog.  Die 


82  MEMOIRS  OF 


Commander  at  Trenton,  Col.  Rawle,  was  killed  at 
the  commencement  of  the  action,  and  hia  troops  find- 
ing themselves  surrounded,  laid  down  their  arms  and 
surrendered  prisoners  of  war.  Twenty  of  the  enemy 
were  killed  and  one  thousand  taken  prisoners.  Six 
pieces  of  artillery,  and  one  thousand  stands  of  arms 
were  also  taken.  On  the  part  of  the  Americans,  two 
privates  were  killed,  two  frozen  to  death,  and  one  offi- 
cer and  three  or  four  privates  wounded. 

Nothing  could  surpass  the  astonishment,  on  the  part 
of  the  enemy,  at  the  news  of  this  surprise.  Washing- 
ton's condition  at  that  time,  was  thought  desperate. 
He  had  been  deserted  by  all  his  troops,  which  had  a 
legal  right  to  leave  him,  and  a  considerable  proportion 
of  those  remaining  would  soon  leave  him,  by  the  ter- 
mination of  the  period  of  their  enlistment.  Indeed  it 
was  thought  both  by  friends  and  foes,  that  he  would 
not  be  able  to  hold  out  much  longer.  This  bold  and 
fortunate  enterprise,  announced  to  Gen.  Howe,  that 
the  war  was  not  so  near  a  termination  as  he  had  ima- 
gined. Lord  Cornwallis,  who  had  prepared  to  em- 
bark for  England,  was  directed  to  remain  and  the  Brit- 
ish army  was  again  put  in  motion,  though  in  the  depth 
of  winter. 

Washington  in  the  meantime,  had  contrived  to  in- 
crease his  army  to  about  five  thousand  men,  and  had 
determined  to  do  something  during  the  winter. 

The  British  army  under  Cornwallis,  were  in  force 
at  Princeton,  where  they  had  thrown  up  works  for  de- 
fence. The  American  army  being  at  Trenton,  an  at- 
tack was  expected.  Accordingly  on  the  2d  of  Janua- 
ry, 1777,  the  British  army  moved  towards  the  Ameri- 
can camp,  and  on  its  approach,  Washington  withdrew 
to  the  opposite  side  of  a  small  creek,  which  runs 
through  the  town,  and  there  drew  up  his  army.  The 
enemy  finding  that  all  the  fords  were  guarded,  halted 
for  the  night  and  kindled  their  fires.  The  Americans 
di<ft  the  same.     But  Washington  found  his  situation  a 


LA  FAYETTE.  S3 


Critical  one.  If  he  lay  where  he  was  till  morning,  the 
enemy  would  certainly  attack  and  cut  him  off.  He 
therefore  formed  the  daring  plan  of  moving  offin  the 
night,  and  attacking  the  rear  of  the  enemy  at  Prince- 
ton, where  it  was  probable  only  sufficient  force  had 
been  left  to  guard  their  baggage.  Accordingly  at  one 
o'clock,  on  the  night  of  the  3d  of  January,  having  re- 
plenished the  wood  on  their  fires,  the  army  moved  si- 
lently off.  About  sunrise  they  fell  in  with  three  Brit- 
ish regiments,  which  had  encamped  during  the  night, 
at  Allentown,  near  Princeton,  and  a  sharp  engage- 
ment ensued.  The  British  finally  gave  way,  with  the 
loss  of  one  hundred  killed,  and  three  hundred  taken 
prisoners. 

The  loss  on  the  side  of  the  Americans,  in  killed  was 
nearly  equal  to  that  of  the  enemy,  and  among  them  was 
included  Gen.  Mercer,*  of  Virginia,  a  very  brave  and 
valuable  officer.  The  commander  in  chief  now  find- 
ing it  absolutely  necessary  to  give  his  men  rest,  and  to 
cover  them  from  the  inclemency  of  the  season,  went 
into  winter  quarters  at  Morristown. 

The  army  of  the  middle  states  having  retired  to 
winter  quarters,  we  will  for  the  present  leave  them 

___> 

*  Hugh  Mercer,  a  brigadier  general  in  the  late  war,  was 
a  native  of  Scotland,  and  after  his  arrival  in  America  he 
served  with  Washington  in  the  war  against  the  French  and 
Indians,  which  terminated  in  1 763,  and  was  greatly  esteem- 
ed by  him.  He  engaged  zealously  in  support  of  the  liberties 
of  his  adopted  country.  In  the  battle  near  Princeton,  Janu- 
ary 3,  1777,  he  commanded  the  van  oflhe  Americans,  com- 
posed principally  of  southern  militia,  and  while  gallantly  ex* 
erting  himself  to  rally  them  received  three  wounds  from  a 
bayonet,  of  which  he  died  January  19th.  It  is  said,  that  he 
was  stabbed  after  he  had  surrendered.  He  was  a  valuable 
officer  and  his  character  in  private  life  was  amiable.  Pro- 
vision was  made  by  con  ress  in  1793  for  the  education  of 
his  youngest  son,  Hugh  Mercer. — Mien's  Hiog.  Dictionary. 


34  MEMOIRS  OF 


and  give  a  sketch  of  what  happened  at  the  North, 
during  the  period  of  the  above  transactions. 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  the  American  army 
had  been  driven  out  of  Canada.  But  it  was  a  matter 
of  the  highest  consequence,  that  the  enemy  should  not 
gain  possession  of  LakeChamplain  and  Lake  George, 
as  it  was  feared,  the  next  step  would  be  to  reach  Al- 
bany. If  this  should  be  effected,  and  the  British  ar- 
my from  the  south  should  succeed  in  ascending  the 
Hudson  to  the  same  place,  the  country  would  thus  be 
divided  from  north  to  south,  and  in  a  great  measure 
the  eastern  states  be  disconnected  from  the  middle  and 
southern.  This  was  an  event  greatly  dreaded,  and 
perhaps  only  to  be  avoided  by  building  a  fleet  on  Lake 
Champlain,  that  should  command  it.  With  very  great 
exertions  therefore,  the  Americans  built  fifteen  vessels, 
the  largest  of  which  mounted  twelve  guns  ;  and  Gen. 
Arnold  was  appointed  to  command  on  the  Lake. 

At  the  same  time,  the  British  with  incredible  exer- 
tion, built  a  licet  in  about  three  months,  consisting  of 
|-x$^j^Mffi^egsejs?  an(j  rnounting  three  times  the 
weignrwKie.tal  that  Arnold's  did.  This  great  dispar- 
ity did  not  however  prevent  him  from  hazarding  a 
battle,  in  which  after  a  most  desperate  contest,  for 
several  hours,  he  was  finally  overpowered  by  num- 
bers, but  made  his  escape  with  the  loss  of  his  fleet. 

General  Carlton,  after  this  victory,  proceeded  on 
and  took  possession  of  Crown  Point,  and  advanced  a 
part  of  his  fleet  to  Lake  George,  with  a  view  on  Ti- 
conderoga.  But  finding  that  fortress  garrisoned  with 
eight  or  nine  thousand  men,  with  Generals  Gates  and 
Schuyler  at  their  head,  he  thought  prudent  to  with- 
draw to  winter  quarters.  In  the  fall  of  this  year, 
1776,  Gen.  Howe  planned  an  expedition  against 
Rhode  Island.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  with  three  thou- 
sand men,  and  Sir  Peter  Porter  as  commander  of  the 
fleet,  were  entrusted  with  its  execution.  They  sailed 
from  New  York  in  November,  and  without  much  op- 


LA  FAYETTE.  85 


position  took  possession  of  Newport,  and  the  island 
on  which  it  stands.  This  movement  occasioned  great 
alarm  in  the  states  of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts, 
whose  citizens  apprehended  an  invasion.  The  ene- 
my however  intended  it  as  a  diversion,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  prevent  the  depredations  which  priva- 
teers, sailing  from  Narragansett  bay,  were  in  the  prac- 
tice of  committing  on  them.  During  this  winter  eve- 
vy  preparation,  which  an  impoverished  state  of  the 
public  funds  could  permit,  was  made  by  Congress  for 
the  next  campaign.  The  army  was  inoculated  with 
the  small  pox.  Regiments  of  militia  were  embodied. 
Soldiers  were  enlisied.  Powder  was  manufactured. 
A  loan  of  two  millions  was  voted  by  Congress,  and 
laws  were  enacted  to  prevent  the  depreciation  of  the 
paper  currency. 

At  the  same  time,  Lord  Howe's  proclamation  of 
pardon,  to  such  rebels  as  would  throw  down  the.ii, 
arms,  and  own  allegiance  to  the  king,  was  producing 
less  and  less  effect  on  the  inhabitants.  When  this 
proclamation  was  first  issued,  considerable  numbers 
in  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  complied  with  its  require- 
ments and  took  the  oath  of  loyalty.  At  this  time 
however,  the  British  had  complete  control  of  that 
state,  and  the  fear  of  suffering  from  loss  of  property, 
and  perhaps  of  personal  ill  treatment  from  the  soldiers, 
was  a  principal  motive  for  taking  the  oath. 

After  the  battles  of  Princeton  and  Trenton  howev- 
er, the?e  motives  no  longer  existed,  and  many  joined 
the  standard  of  Washington,  who  through  fear,  had 
before  nominally  been  friends  to  the  royal  cause. 

As  the  season  for  active  operations  approached,  the 
greatest  solicitude  was  felt  by  the  commander  in  chief, 
to  assemble  his  army,  and  the  greatest  anxiety  on  the 
part  of  the  public,  for  the  events  of  this  campaign. 

The  British  were  by  far  the  greatest  in  number, 
besides  their  vast  superiority  in  respect  to  discipline 
*nd  the  munitions  of  war.     It  was  therefore  on   a  . 

8  . 


MEMOIRS  OF 


count  of  the  seat  of  war  being  in  his  own  country,  and 
by  superior  prudence  and  skill,  that  Washington  could 
expect  to  sustain  even  his  own  ground. 

The  first  act  of  Lord  Howe,  as  the  spring  approach- 
ed, was  directed  to  the  destruction  of  the  scanty  store* 
which  the  Americans  had  collected  during  the  winter. 
At  Peekskill  on  the  Hudson,  about  fifty  miles  above 
New  York,  there  had  been  deposited  a  small  amount 
ef  military  stores.  Colonel  Bird  was  detached  up  the 
river,  in  March,  to  destroy  them.  On  his  arrival,. 
Col.  M'Dougal  who  commanded  about  200  men 
as  a  guard,  finding  that  he  could  neither  defend,  nor 
remove  these  stores,  set  fire  to  the  magazines  and  re- 
treated. The  conflagration  was  completed  by  the 
enemy,  who  then  returned  to  New  York. 

At  Danbury,  on  the  western  frontier  of  Connecti- 
cut, military  stores  to  a  considerable  amount  had  also 
been  deposited.  These  were  supposed  to  be  safe  on 
account  of  the  location,  it  being  near  twenty  miles  from 
the  shore  ;  andalsobecause  men  had  been  ordered  there 
for  the  double  purpose  of  being  inoculated  and  acting 
as  a  guard.  The  enemy  however  determined  on  an 
attempt  to  destroy  them,  and  Maj.  Gen.  Tryon  landed 
with  two  thousand  men,  on  the  25th  of  April,  for  this 
purpose.  They  marched  without  opposition  to  the 
place,  when  Col.  Huntington,  who  occupied  the  town 
with  only  one  hundred  and  fifty  militia,  was  obliged 
to  withdraw.  The  enemy  immediately  set  fire  to  the 
magazine  and  the  town,  and  having  destroyed  both, 
began  their  retreat  to  regain  the  shipping.  But  this 
they  did  not  effect  unmolested.  Gen.  Sullivan  soon 
raised  five  hundred  militia,  and  was  joined  by  Gen. 
Wooster,  and  Gen.  Arnold,  who  happened  to  be  in  the 
neighbourhood.  As  the  enemy  retreated,  they  were 
attacked  both  in  front  and  rear,  and  frequently  with 
great  gallantry  by  the  militia.     In  one  of  those  skir- 


LA  FAYETTE  87 


mishes,  Gen.  Wooster*  was  killed.  As  they  arrived 
near  their  shipping,  the  enemy  made  a  stand,  tier© 
the  Americans  charged  them  with  intrepidity,  but 
were  repulsed  and  broken  ;  and  the  enemy  availing 
themselves  of  this  circumstance,  re-embarked  for  New 
York. 

In  this  affair,  the  killed,  wounded,  and  missing  of  the 
enemy,  amounted  to  170.  The  American  loss  was 
much  less  in  number  ;  but  the  death  of  Gen.  Woostei 
was  greatly  regretted,  as  he  was  a  brave  and  influential 
officer.  In  the  magazines,  hospital  and  military  stores 
to  a  large  amount  were  destroyed,  all  of  which  were 
greatly  needed  by  the  army.  The  loss  of  about  one 
thousand  tents  was  particularly  felt,  as  the  campaign 
was  just  opening,  and  they  could  not  be  replaced. 

Gen.  Howe  having  received  some  reinforcements 
from  Europe,  began  about  the  beginning  of  June,  to 
pass  his  army  from  New  York  over  into  Jersey  ;  and 
on  the  14th  having  moved  as  far  as  Brunswick,  he  left 
a  garrison  there  and  proceeded  in  two  columns  to- 
wards the  Delaware.  This  movement  was  made  with 
the  intention  of  bringing  the  American  army  out  of 
their  strong  hold  at  Middlebrook,  and  thus  obliging 
Washington  to  hazard  an  engagement  with  his  whole 
force.     Washington  however  thought  it  most  prudent 

*  David  Wooster,  major  general  in  the  revolutionary  war, 
was  born  at  Stratford  in  1711,  and  was  graduated  at  Yale 
College,  in  1738.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war  witfc 
Great  Britain,  he  was  appointed  to  the  chief  command  of  the 
troops  in  the  service  of  Connecticut,  and  made  a  brigadier 
general  in  the  continental  service ;  but  this  commission  he 
afterwards  resigned.  In  1776  he  was  appointed  the  first 
major  general  of  the  militia  of  his  native  state.  While  op- 
posing a  detachment  of  British  troops,  whose  object  was 
to  destroy  the  public  stores  at  Danbury,  he  was  mortally 
wounded  at  Ridgfield,  April  27,  1777,  and  died  on  the  sec- 
ond of  May.— Men's  Biog.  Dictionary. 


88  MEMOIRS  OF 


to  defend  his  camp  at  that  time,  and  accordingly  drew 
up  his  army  in  order  of  battle  to  receive  Gen.  Howe. 
But  the  British  commander  thought  most  prudent  t<? 
decline  the  attack  on  his  camp. 

The  great  object  of  Howe  at  this  time,  was  the  pos- 
session of  Philadelphia,  but  this  could  only  be  attain- 
ed by  the  defeat  of  Washington's  army.  But  the  lat- 
ter perceived  his  design,  and  determined  to  avoid  a 
general  engagement.  Howe  finding  all  attempts  to 
provoke  an  engagement  abortive,  retreated  suddenly 
to  Staten  Island,  where  his  army  embarked  on  board 
the  fleet.  The  destination  of  this  fleet  now  became  a 
subject  of  the  most  perplexing  anxiety  in  the  mind  of 
Washington. 

Wrhether  Gen.  Howe  intended  to  direct  his  force 
against  Charleston  or  the  Eastern  states,  or  by  a  bold- 
er movement  penetrate  the  Hudson,  with  the  view  of 
forming  a  conjunction  with  Burgoyne,  who  was  then 
at  Ticonderoga,  was  uncertain.  That  some  great 
movement  was  to  be  made,  was  certain,  and  that  one 
of  these  was  the  object,  Washington  had  strong  grounds 
to  believe. 

During  this  state  of  anxious  perplexity  concerning 
the  movements  of  the  enemy,  good  news  of  an  unex- 
pected nature  arrived  from  the  eastward. 

It  has  been  already  mentioned,  that  the  British  ar- 
my had  taken  possession  of  Newport,  and  the  island 
on  which  it  stands.  Gov.  Prescott  the  commanding 
officer  there,  thinking  himself  perfectly  secure  on  an 
Island  guarded  by  the  British  fleet,  indulged  himself  in 
comfortable  quarters,  at  a  distance  from  his  camp. 
Lieut.  Col.  Barton  of  the  American  army,  hearing  of 
this  negligence,  collected  forty  brave  men,  and  deter- 
mined on  the  bold  enterprize  of  seizing  the  person  of 
the  British  General.  They  accordingly  took  boats 
from  Warwick  neck,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  bay, 
and  in  the  night  landed  safely  on  the  Island.  They 
then  marched  a  mile  to  the  General's  quarters,  and 


LA  FAYETTE.  89 


seized  the  sentinel  at  the  door,  and  proceeding  to  the 
general's  lodging  room,  took  him  out  of  bed,  and  con- 
veyed him  to  a  place  of  safety,  Congress  presented 
Col.  Barton  with  a  sword,  as  a  mark  of  their  approba- 
tion for  this  successful  cnterprize. 

Having  thus  given  a  short  history  of  the  principal 
transactions  of  the  American  war,  from  its  commence- 
ment, to  the  period  when  Gen.  La  Fayette  arrived  in 
this  country,  it  is  now  time  to  turn  our  attention  more 
particularly  to  him,  and  the  part  he  took  in  that  strug- 
gle for  freedom. 


90  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ARRIVAL    OF    LA     PAYETTE— HE    OFFERS     TO   SERVE    AS    A    VOL- 
UNTEER     IN     THE  "AMERICAN      ARMY — COMMISSIONED 
BY    CONGRESS,    &C. 

La  Fayette  espoused  the  cause  of  America  in  177S. 
At  that  period  Silas  Deane,  Esq.  was  minister  of  the 
United  States  to  the  court  of  France.  He  had  enga- 
ged a  number  of  French  officers  of  ability  and  expe- 
rience to  embark  for  America,  with  recommendations 
for  commissions  from  Congress.  Among  others  who 
made  application  to  be  engaged  in  this  enterprize, 
was  young  La  Fayette.  But  understanding  that  he 
was  a  young  gentleman  of  noble  birth,  and  great  for- 
r-tuhe,  this  offer  was  considered  as  the  romantic  pre- 
(^cjpitancy  of  youth.  His  friends  also,  seeing  at  best 
nothing  but  dangers  and  hardship  in  this  undertaking, 
used  every  means  to  dissuade  him  from  it.  Finding 
his  determination  to  proceed  to  America  fixed,  Mr. 
Deane  was  willing  to  encourage  him  ;  but  at  that  time 
there  was  little  expectation  in  France,  that  the  Amer- 
ican colonies  could  maintain  their  declaration  of  in- 
dependence. Washington's  army  on  the  Delaware, 
was  reduced  to  about  two  thousand  men,  and  these 
were  in  want  of  many  articles,  necessary  to  make 
them  effective  soldiers  ;  while  the  royal  army  in  the 
same  neighbourhood,  was  from  twenty  to  thirty  thou- 
sand strong,  and  in  want  of  nothing  which  could  ren- 
der it  effective. 

Under  these  circumstances,  the  credit  of  the  Ameri- 
can states  was  so  low  in  France,  that  our  commission- 
er there  found  it  impossible  to  procure  a  vessel  to 
convey  the  Marquis  and  their  despatches  to  the  Ame- 
rican Congress.  These  facts  being  stated  to  La  Fay- 
ette by  the  commissioners,  with  an  intimation  that 
they  could  not  feel  justified  to  encourage  him  under 


LA  FAYETTE.  91 


such  a  state  of  things,  he  replied,  that  his^eJLejrmina- 

icn   to  embark  for  America  was   still  unshaken,  and 

that  this  embarrassment   could   be  overcome  by   his 

purchasing  and  fitting  out  a  vessel  at  his  own  expense. 

This  project  was  deemed  so  important  and  extra-  J 
ordinary,  that  it  attracted  universal  attention.  The 
French  court,  at  that  time,  had  not  declared  openly 
for  America,  though  Franklin  was  then  at  Paris,  se- 
cretly making  his  negociation.  On  this  account, 
orders  were  publicly  issued  to  prevent  his  departure, 
though  it  is  understood  that  the  administration  pri- 
vately encouraged  the  enterprise.  What  he  most 
feared,  was  the  danger  to  *vhich  he  would  be  exposed, 
of  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  English,  on  his  passage  ;  * 
in  which  case  he  would  be  subjected  to  confinement 
for  an  uncertain  length  of  time,  and  probably  to  the 
mosKrigorous  treatment  J  This  thought,  however, 
had  no  weight,  after  his  purpose  was  fixed.  He  em- 
barked for  America  in  the  winter  of  1777,  and  after  a 
prosperous  voyage,  arrived  at  Charleston,  in  South 
Carolina,  in  the  spring  of  that  year.  He  landed  soon 
after  the  noble  defence  of  that  place  by  Gen.  Moultrie, 
at  the  fort  on  Sullivan's  Island.  Charmed  with  the 
gallantry  displayed  by  that  officer  and  his  brave 
troops,  and  probably  finding  the  latter  miserably  clad 
and  armed,  he  presented  the  general  with  clothing, 
arms  and  accoutrements  for  one  hundred  of  his  men.* 

From  Charleston,  he  immediately  proceeded  to 
Philadelphia,  where  Congress  was  then  in  session,  and 
having  delivered  his  despatches  from  the  American 
commissioners,  he  informed  that  body,  that  he  had 
come  from  France  for  the  express  purpose  of  serving 
as  a  volunteer  in  their  cause,  and  that  without  any 
compensation.  Congress  being  struck  with  admira- 
tion at  the  generous  and  lofty  sentiments  of  the  young 

*  Thacher. 


92  MEMOIRS  OF 


nobleman,  proceeded  to  the  adoption  of  the  following 
preamble  and  resolution.  "  Whereas  the  Marquis  la 
Fayette,  in  consequence  of  his  ardent  zeal  for  the 
cause  of  liberty  in  which  the  United  States  are  enga- 
ged, has  left  his  family  and  friends,  and  crossed  the 
ocean  at  his  own  expense,  to  offer  his  services  to  the 
said  states,,  without  wishing  to  accept  of  any  pension 
or  pay  whatever,  and  as  he  earnestly  desires  to  engage 
in  our  cause,  Congress  have  resolved,  that  his  ser- 
vices be  accepted,  and  that,  in  consideration  of  his 
patriotism,  his  family,  and  illustrious  relations,  he 
shall  hold  the  rank  and  commission  of  major  general 
in  the  army  of  the  United  States." 

This  resolution  was  passed  July  31,  1777,  and  the 
general  immediately  repaired  to  Washington's  camp 
as  a  volunteer. 

At  that  time  the  American  and  British  armies  were 
reconnoitering  each  other,  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
the  Brandy  wine  river,  in  New  Jersey,  and  an  engage- 
ment was  expected  soon  to  take  place. 

On  the  9th  of  September,  Washington  crossed  the 
river  with  his  whole  army,  and  took  post  at  a  place 
called  Chadd's  ford,  which  it  was  his  intention  to 
guard,  and  prevent  the  enemy  from  crossing.  On  the 
evening  of  that  day,  Lord  Howe  marched  forward  and 
encamped  at  New  Garden,  about  seven  miles  from  the 
American  lines.  On  the  morning  of  the  I  1th,  Wash- 
ington received  information,  that  his  adversary  was 
coming  upon  him  by  the  road  leading  directly  to 
Chadd's  ford.  It  was  now  seen  that  the  British  com- 
mander intended  to  bring  on  a  general  engagement, 
nor  did  Washington  avoid  it,  as  it  was  considered  im- 
possible to  protect  Philadelphia,  without  defeating  the 
enemy. 

About  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  it  was  ascertain- 
ed that  the  royal  army,  commanded  by  Sir  William 
Howe,  in  person,  and  Lord  Cornwallis,  was  approach- 
ing.    The  advance  was  made  in  three  columns,   but 


LA  FAYETTE.  93 


on  coming  in  sight  of  the  Americans,  the  royal  troops 
were  instantly  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and  the  actioa 
soon  begun.  On  both  sides  it  was  supported  with 
gallantry  for  a  time,  but  the  Americans  on  the  right 
first  gave  way,  and  very  soon  afterwards,  that  wing 
was  completely  routed.  There  was  an  immediate  at- 
tempt made  to  rally,  but  the  rout  in  a  few  moments 
became  general,  as  did  the  flight.  In  this  battle,  La 
Fayette  displayed  great  bravery,  never  avoiding  dan- 
ger, but  encouraging  his  men  by  his  own  example  to 
maintain  the  action  with  intrepidity  and  firmness.  On 
this  occasion  he.  was  badty  wounded  in  the  leg. 

In  his  communication  to  Congress  after  this  battle, 
Washington  says  of  La  Fayette,  "  from  the  disposition 
he  discovered  at  the  battle  of  Brandy  wine,  he  posses- 
ses a  large  share  of  bravery  and  military  ardor."* 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  action  was  three 
hundred  killed,  and  about  six  hundred  wounded.  Four 
hundred  of  the  wounded  were  taken  prisoners. 

After  the  battle,  Washington  retreated  to  Chester, 
and  then  to  Philadelphia.  Howe  pursued  him,  and 
after  various  skirmishes,  in  which  the  American  army 
was  always  unsuccessful,  he  crossed  the  Schuylkill  on 
the  22nd  of  September. 

It  was  now  evident,  that  nothing  but  an  immediate 
engagement  and  victory,  could  save  the  capital  from 
the  possession  of  the  British  general.  Such,  however, 
was  the  condition  of  the  American  army,  that  the 
commander  in  chief  did  not  dare  to  hazard  an  engage- 
ment so  decisive.  He  therefore  directed  Col.  Hamil- 
ton to  remove  all  the  military  stores  and  other  public 
property  from  Philadelphia  up  the  Delaware  to  a 
place  of  safety,  and  on  the  26th  of  September,  Lord 
Cornwallis,  at  the  head  of  the  British  and  Hessian 
grenadiers,  took  possession  of  the  city  without  oppo- 
sition. 


*  Official  letters. 


94  MEMOIRS  OF 


On  the  first  intelligence  of  Washington's  defeat  at 
Brandywine,  Congress  fixed  on  Lancaster  as  a  place 
of  retirement  and  safety,  in  the  event  that  the  enemy 
•hould  take  possession  of  the  capital,  where  they're- 
assembled  on  the  27th. 

Lord  Cornwallis  having  taken  peaceable  possession 
of  Philadelphia  and  Germantown,  a  division  of  his 
army  was  encamped  at  each  of  these  places.  The 
expected  reinforcements  having  joined  the  American 
army,  Washington  found,  on  the  30th  of  September, 
that  his  effectual  force  amounted  to  eight  thouiand 
regular  troops,  and  three  thousand  militia.  With  this 
force,  he  determined  to  approach  the  enemy  at  Ger- 
mantown, and  give  them  battle. 

The  necessary  arrangements  being  made,  on  the 
4th  of  October,  the  American  army  moved  to  the  at- 
tack. During  the  first  period  of  the  engagement, 
every  movement  succeeded  to  the  utmost  of  Washing- 
ton's expectations.  But  owing  to  peculiar  circum- 
stances, the  Americans  were  repulsed  with  the  loss  of 
two  hundred  killed,  and  six  hundred  taken  prisoners. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  stated  at  five  hundred  kil- 
led and  wounded. 

Gen.  La  Fayette,  as  soon  as  his  wound  permitted, 
joined  Gen.  Greene,*  who  was  then  in  JNew  Jersey. 

*  Nathaniel  Greene,  a  major  general  of  the  army  of  the 
United  States,  was  born  in  Warwick.  Rhode  Island,  about 
ihe  year  1740  His  parents  were  quakers.  His  father 
was  an  anchor  smith,  who  was  concerned  in  some  valua- 
ble iron  works,  and  transacted  much  business.  While  he 
was  a  boy,  he  learned  the  Latin  language,  chiefly  by  his 
own  unassisted  industry.  Having  procured  a  small  library, 
his  mind  was  much  improved,  though  the  perusal  of  milita- 
ry history  occupied  a  considerable  share  of  his  attention. 
Such  was  the  estimation  in  which  his  character  was  held, 
that  he  was  at  an  early  period  of  his  life  chosen  a  member 
of  the  assembly  of  Rhode  Island.  After  the  battle  of  Lex- 
ington had  enkindled  at  once    the   spirit  of  Americans 


LA  FAYETTE.  &> 


But  as  yet,  although  he  had  been  constantly  with  the 
army,  he  had  not  been  invested  with  any  separate 

throughout  the  whole  continent,  Mr.  Greene,  though  educa- 
ted in  the  peaceful  principled  of  the  friends,  could  not  extra, 
guish  the  martial  ardor,  which  had  been  excited  in  his  own 
breast.     Receiving  the  command  of  three  regiments,  with 
the  title  of  brigadier  general,  he  led  them  to  Cambridge ;  in 
consequence  of  which,  the  quakers  renounced  all  connexion 
with  him,  as  a  member  of  their  religious  body.     On  the  ar- 
rival of  Washington  at  Cambridge,  he  was  the  first  who  ex- 
pressed to  the  commander  in  chief  his  satisfaction  in  his  ap- 
pointment, and  he  soon  gained  his  entire   confidence.     He 
was  appointed  by  Congress  major  general  in  August,  1776. 
In  the  battles  of  Trenton,  on  the  26th  of  December  follow- 
ing, and  of  Princeton,  on  the  3d  of  January,  1777,  he  was 
much  distinguished.     He  commanded  the  left  wing  of  the 
American  army  at  the  battle  of  Germantown,  on  the  4th  of 
October.     In  March,  1778,  he  was  appointed  quarter  mas- 
ter general,  which  office  he  accepted,  on  condition,  that  his 
rank  in  the  army  should  not  be  affected,  and  that  he  should 
retain  his  command  in  the  time  of  action.     This  right  he 
exercised  on  the   28th  of  June,  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth. 
His  courage  and  skill  were  again  displayed  on  the  29th  of 
August,  in  Rhode  Island.     He  resigned  in  this  year  the  of- 
fice of  quarter  master  general,  and  was  succeeded  by  Col. 
Pickering.     After  the  disasters  which  attended  the  Ameri- 
can arms  in  South  Carolina,  he  was  appointed  to  supersede 
Gates,  and  he  took  the  command  in  the  southern  department, 
December  3,  1 780.     Having  recruited  the  army,  which  had 
been  exceedingly   reduced  by  defeat  and  desertion,  he  sem 
out  a  detachment  under  the   brave   general  Morgan,    who 
gained  the  important  victory  at  the   Cowpens,  January  17,, 
1781.     Greene  effected  a  junction  with  him  on  the  7th  of 
February,  but  on  account  of  the  superior  numbers  of  Corn- 
wallis,  he  retreated  with  great   skill  to   Virginia.     Having 
received  an  accession  to  his   forces,   he  returned    to  North 
Carolina,  and  in  the  battle  of  Guilford,   on  the    15th   o: 
March,  was  defeated.     The  victory,  however,  was  dearly 
bought  by  the  British,  for  their  loss  was  greater  than  that  of 
the  Americans,  and  no  advantages  were  derived  from  it.    l\\ 


96  MEMOIRS  OF 


command.     Being  full  of  military  ardor,  and  anxious, 
by  some  feat,  to  display  his  courage  and  attachment  to 

a  few  days,  Cornwallis  began  to   march  towards  Wilming- 
ton, leaving  many  of  his  wounded   behind  him,  which  had 
the  appearance  of  a  retreat,  and  Greene  followed  him  for 
some  time.     But  altering  his  plan,  he  resolved   to  recom- 
mence offensive  operations  in  South  Carolina.     He  accord- 
ingly marched  di<ectly  to  Camden,  where  on  the  25th  of 
April,  he  was  engaged  with   Lord    Rawdon.     Victory  in- 
clined for  some  time  to  the   Americans,  but  the  retreat  of 
two  companies  occasioned   the  defeat   of  the  whole  army. 
Greene  retreated  in  good  order,  and  took  such  measures  as 
effectually  prevented  Lord  Rawdon  from  improving  his  suc- 
cess, and  ob'iged  him   in  the  beginning  of  May  to  retire  be- 
yond the  Santee.      While  he  was  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Santee,  Greene   hung  in  one  day,  eight  soldiers,  who  had 
deserted  from  his  army       For  three  months  afterwards,  no 
instance  of  desertion  took  place.     A  number  of  forts  and 
garrisons  in  South   Carolina  now   fell  into   his  hands      He 
commenced  the  siege  of  Ninety  six  on  the  22nd  of  May,  but 
he  was  obliged,  on  the  approach  of  Lord  Rawdon,  in  June, 
to  raise  the   siege      The  army,  which  had  been  highly  en- 
couraged by  the  late  success,  was  now  reduced  to  the  mel- 
ancholy necessity  of  retreating  to  the  extremity  of  the  state. 
The  American  commander  was  advised  to  retire  to  Virgi- 
nia ;  but  to  suggestions  of  this  kind,  he  replied,  "  I  will  re- 
cover South  Caroljna.  or  die  in  the  attempt."     Waiting  till 
the  British  forces  were  divided,  he  faced   about,  and  Lord 
Rawdon  was  pursued  in  his  turn,  and  was  offered  battle  af- 
ter he  reached  his  encampment  at  Orangeburgb,  but  he  de- 
clined it.     On  the  8th  of  September   Greene  covered  him- 
self with  glory  by  the  victory  at  the  Eutaw  springs,  in  which 
the  British,  who  fought  with  the  utmost  bravery,  lost  eleven 
hundred  men,  and  the  Americans  about  half  that  number. 
For  his  good  conduct  in  this  action   Congress  presented  him 
"with  a  British  standard  and  a  golden  medal.     This  engage- 
ment may  be  considered  as  closing  the  revolutionary  war  in 
South  Carolina.      During  the  remainder  of  his  command  he 
had  to  struggle  with  the  greatest  difficulties  from  the  want  ef 


LA  FAYETTE.  97 


the  American  cause,  he  complained  to  the  commander 
in  chief  of  the  neglect  of  government  in  this  respect, 
and  requested  that  he  might  have  a  command  equal  to 
his  military  rank.  In  a  letter  to  Congress,  dated  Nov. 
1,  J  777,  Washington  makes  known  to  that  body  the 
request  of  the  young  Marquis,  and  intimates  his  own 
desire  that  it  should  be  granted.  i4  From  a  considera- 
tion of  his  illustrious  and  important  connexions,"  says 
he,  "  the  attachment  which  he  has  manifested  for  our 

supplies  for  his  troops.  Strong  symptoms  of  mutiny  appear- 
ed, but  his  firmness  and  decision  completely  quelled  it. 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  he  returned  to  Rhode 
Island,  where  the  greatest  dissensio.is  prevail  d,  and  his  en- 
de  vorsto  restore  harmony  were  attended  with  success.  In 
October,  1785,  he  sailed  to  Georgia,  where  he  had  a  consid- 
erable estate,  not  far  distant  from  Savannah.  Here  he  pas- 
sed his  time  as  a  private  citizen,  occupied  by  domestic  con- 
cerns. *  While  walking  without  an  umbrella,  the  intense 
rays  of  the  sun  overpowered  him,  and  occasioned  an  inflam- 
mation of  the  brain,  of  which  he  died  June  19,  1786,  in  the 
forty  seventh  year  of  his  age.  In  August  following,  Con- 
gress ordered  a  monument  to  be  erected  to  his  memory  at 
the  seat  of  the  federal  government. 

General  Greene  possessed  a  humane  and  benevolent  dis- 
position, and  abhorring  the  cruelties  and  excesses,  of  which 
partizans  on  both  sides  were  guilty,  he  uniformly  inculcated 
a  spirit  of  moderation.  Yet  he  was  resolutely  severe,  when 
the  preservation  of  discipline  rendered  severity  necessary. 
In  the  campaign  of  1781,  he  displayed  the  prudence,  the 
military  skill,  the  unshaken  firmness,  and  the  daring  cou- 
rage, which  are  seldom  combined,  and  which  place  him  in 
the  first  rank  of  American  officers.  His  judgment  was  cor- 
rect, and  his  self  possession  never  once  forsook  him.  In  one 
of  his  letters  he  says,  that  he  was  seven  months  in  the  fieldr 
without  taking  off  his  clothes  for  a  single  night.  It  is 
thought,  that  he  was  the  most  endeared  to  the  commander- 
in  chief  of  all  his  associates  in  arms.  Washington  often  la- 
mented his  death  with  the  keenest  sorrow. — Allen's  Biog. 
Dictionary. 

9 


98  MEMOIRS  OF 


cause,  and  the  consequences  which  his  return  in  dis- 
gust might  produce,  it  appears  to  me  that  it  will  be 
advisable  to  gratify  his  wishes."* 

Congress,  however,  did  not  immediately  act  on  this 
subject.     The  singularity  of  the  case  was  such  as  to 
require  some  deliberation.     There  was  no  precedent 
in  the  American  army,  or  perhaps  in  any  other  army, 
for  investing  a  youth  of  nineteen  or  twenty  with  the 
full   power  and  command  of  a  major  general  in  the 
regular  service.     But  Washington,  whose  opinion  on 
such  a  subject  was  not  inferior  to  any  man's,  having 
again  addressed  Congress  by  a  letter  dated  Nov.  27tb, 
in  behalf  of  the  Marquis,  "  I  should  be  happy,"   says 
he,  u  in  your  determination  respecting  the  Marquis 
de  la  Fayette.     He  is  more  and  more  solicitous  to  be 
in  actual  service,  andis  pressing  in  his  applications 
for  a  command.     I  ventured  before  to  submit  my  sen- 
timents upon  the  measure  ;  and  I  still  fear  a  refusal 
will  not  only  induce  him  to  return  in  disgust,  but  may 
involve  some  unfavourable  consequences.     There  are 
now  some  recent  divisions   in  the   army,  to  one   of 
which  he  may  be  appointed,  if  it  should  be  the  plea- 
sure of  Congress.     I   am  convinced    he   possesses  a 
large   share  of  that   military   ardor  which  generally 
characterizes  the  nobility  of  his  country.     He  went 
to  JNew  Jersey  with  General  Greene,  and  1  find  he 
has  not  been  inactive  there.     This  you  will  perceive 
by  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  just  received 
frojn  General  Greene." 
'^"The  Marquis,  with  about  four  hundred  militia  and 
the  rifle  corps,  attacked   the  enemy's  picquet,   last 
evening,  killed  about   twenty,  wounded  many  more, 
and  took  about   twenty  prisoners.      The  Marquis  is 
charmed  with  the  spirited  behavior  of  the  militia  and 
rifle  corps  ;  they  drove  the  enemy  about  half  a  mile, 
and  kept  the  ground  until  dark.     The  enemy's  picquet 
, _ — 


\  *  Official  letters. 


<• 


LA  FAYETTE.  99 


consisted  of  about  three  hundred  men,  and  were  rein- 
forced during  the  skirmish.  The  Marquis  is  determi* 
ned  to  be  in  the  way  of  danger." 

Such  being  the  opinions  of  Washington  and  Greene, 
and  such  the  solicitude  of  the  young  nobleman  to  ob- 
tain a  command,  Congress  gratified  him  to  the  extent 
of  his  wishes.  He  was  permitted  to  take  the  com- 
mand, as  a  major  general,  of  a  select  corps  of  twelve 
hundred  young  men,  which  he  was  empowered  to  se- 
lect himself,  from  the  army.  This  number  was  after- 
wards increased  to  two  thousand. 

This  corps  the  General  disciplined  with  great  care 
and  attention,  and  never  was  attachment  stronger  be- 
tween a  general  and  his  army  than  between  La  Fay- 
ette and  this  corps.  Having  reduced  them  to  some 
degree  of  discipline,  he  presented  each  of  his  officers 
with  an  elegant  new  sword,  and  each  of  his  soldiers, 
clothing,  arms  and  equipments  throughout ;  and  this 
entirely  at  his  own  expense.  General  La  Fayette's 
division  became  the  flower  of  the  American  army. 

The  enemy  having  possession  of  Philadelphia,  and 
there  being  no  hopes  at  present  of  dislodging  him  by 
an  engagement,  it  became  the  object  of  Washington  to 
make  his  situation  there  as  comfortless  as  possible. 
With  this  view,  obstructions  were  thrown  into  the 
Delaware,  to  prevent  the  enemy's  ships  lrom  ascend- 
ing. The  forts  on  this  river  were  also  garrisoned, 
and  every  precaution  taken  to  prevent  the  enemy  from 
obtaining  them.  After  these  dispositions  for  defend- 
ing the  river,  the  next  object  was  to  cut  off  all  com- 
munication between  the  city  and  the  country,  so  that 
no  supplies  designed  for  the  army  should  be  carried  in. 
With  this  view,  the  militia  in  the  surrounding  country 
were  directed  to  watch  the  roads,  and  to  intercept 
such  persons  as  were  known  to  he  supplying  the  ene- 
my. For  the  same  purpose,  a  detachment  of  six  hun- 
dred men  were  stationed  so  as  to  watch  the  country 
between  the  Schuylkill  and  Chester. 


100  MEMOIRS  OF 


To  enforce  all  these  exertions,  Congress  passed  an 
act,  subjecting  to  martial  law  and  to  death,  all  such 
persons  as  should  furnish  the  British  army  with  pro- 
visions. 

The  fort  at  Red  Bank  being  of  great  consequence 
to  the  enemy,  as  it  commanded  the  Delaware,  Lord 
Howe  detached  Col.  Count  Donop,  a  German  officer, 
with  1200  men,  to  surprise  and  take  it.  It  was  ac- 
cordingly attacked  with  great  intrepidity,  on  the  eve- 
ning of  the  22nd  of  October.  But  it  was  defended  by 
Col.  Greene,  of  Rhode  Island,  in  so  spirited  a  manner, 
that  the  enemy  were  repulsed  with  great  loss.  Count 
Donop,  while  leading  on  his  troops,  was  killed.  The 
next  in  command  was  also  killed.  The  command 
then  fell  on  Col.  Linsing,  who  drew  off  his  troops,  and 
retreated  to  Philadelphia. 

In  this  attempt  the  enemy  lost  400  men,  while  the 
Americans  lost  only  thirty-two  men,  killed  and  wound- 
ed. 

Lord  Howe's  attack  on  the  two  other  forts,  Mifflin 
and  Mercer,  proved  more  unfortunate  for  the  Ameri- 
cans. In  the  defence  of  fort  Mifflin,  Washington's 
army  displayed  undaunted  bravery,  but  was  finally 
overpowered,  and  this  important  fortification,  as  well 
as  fort  Mercer,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. — 
Thus  Lord  Howe  after  a  struggle  of  six  weeks  posses- 
sed himself  of  Philadelphia,  and  secured  the  avenues 
leading  to  it. 

A  plan  was  now  suggested  by  some  officers  of  high 
rank,  to  attack  the  enemy  in  Philadelphia.  But  after 
mature  consideration,  the  commander  in  chief  decided 
that  the  affairs  of  America,  did  not  require  so  desper- 
ate an  undertaking,  and  the  measure  was  abandoned. 

While  an  attempt  on  Philadelphia  was  a  subject  of 
discussion  in  the  American  camp,  Washington  obtain- 
ed intelligence  that  Lord  Howe  was  preparing  for  an 
attack  on  his  camp  at  White  Marsh.     The  American 


LA  FAYETTE.  lOd 


army  was  therefore  placed  in  the  best  condition  possi- 
ble to  sustain  the  conflict. 

On  the  night  of  the  4th  of  December,  the  whole 
British  force  marched  out  of  the  city,  and  encamped 
at  Chesnut  hill,  about  three  miles  from  the  Americans. 
Some  slight  skirmishing  ensued,  and  a  general  engage- 
ment was  every  moment  expected  to  take  place.  But 
his  Lordship  having  reconnoitered  the  position  of  his 
adversary,  and  spent  two  whole  days  in  manceuvering 
in  his  immediate  vicinity,  suddenly  withdrew  and  re- 
treated to  Philadelphia. 

The  season  now  absolutely  required  that%he  Ameri- 
can army  should  be  covered  from  its  inclemency,  and 
being  in  the  vicinity  of  the  enemy,  a  strong  position 
was  necessary  for  its  safety. 

A  very  strong  and  commanding  piece  of  ground, 
was  selected  for  this  purpose  at  Valley  Forge,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Schuylkill,  between  twenty  and  thirty 
miles  from  Philadelphia,  and  on  the  1 1th  of  December 
the  army  moved  to  take  possession  of  it.  Having  ex- 
pressed the  strongest  approbation  of  the  conduct  of 
his  army  during  the  last  campaign,  and  presented  them 
with  an  encouraging  account  of  the  future  prospects 
of  the  country,  the  commander  in  chief  issued  his  gen- 
eral order,  for  fixing  the  lines  of  the  cantonment,  and 
the  erection  of  huts  in  which  the  soldiers  were  to 
spend  the  winter. 

On  taking  a  review  of  the  last  campaign,  under  the 
immediate  direction  of  the  commander  in  chief,  it  is 
impossible  to  avoid  the  conclusion  that  nothing  but 
the  most  consummate  military  skill,  added  to  the 
greatest  prudence  and  soundest  judgment,  could  have 
saved  such  an  army  as  Washington's  from  the  grasp  of 
his  powerful  adversary.  Still  we  have  to  regret,  that 
after  all  the  sufferings  to  which  they  were  exposed, 
nothing  of  importance  was  done,  no  decisive  action 
was  fought,  and  we  cannot  but  indulge  feelings  of  pity 
towards  the  commander,  that  he  could' not  have  been 

9* 


102,  MEMOIRS  OF 


furnished  with  men  and  arms,  in  some  degree  ade- 
quate to  the  exigency  of  his  circumstances. 

But  the  cause  of  America  was  not  every  where  so 
unsuccessful.  While  Washington  in  Pennsylvania, 
could  do  no  more  than  save  his  little  army  from  de- 
struction, Gen.  Gates  at  Saratoga  obtained  a  most 
brilliant  and  important  victory,  over  the  common  en- 
emy. 

The  project  of  the  British,  to  effect  a  junction  be- 
tween the  armies  of  the  jNorth  and  South,  by  way  of 
Alban)  andrthe  Hudson,  has  already  been  mentioned. 
The  detqf  of  this  project  had  been  fixed  on  at  the 
cabinet  orSt.  James,  and  Lieut.  Gen.  Burgoyne  was 
entrusted  with  its  execution. 

Having  advanced  by  the  way  of  Lake  Champlain, 
Ticonderoga,  and  Fort  Anne,  every  obstacle  in  his 
course  was  overcome.  Ticonderoga,  Skeensborough, 
and  Fort  Anne,  wereeach  in  succession  evacuated  at 
his  approach.  Gen.  ftchuyler,  who  at  that  time  com- 
manded the  northern  department  of  the  American 
army,  displayed  the  most  consummate  knowledge  of 
his  profession,  in  preparing  for  the  approach  of  his 
more  powerful  antagonist. 

Just  on  the  approach  of  the  royal  army  at  Saratoga 
however,  Gen.  Schulyer  was  superseded  by  Gen. 
Gates  ;  but  while  the  name  of  Gales  only,  is  connect- 
ed with  the  defeat  of  Burgoyne,  it  is  but  justice  to  re- 
member, that  Schuyler  was  the  great  instrument  by 
which  Gates  won  his  renown. 

Having  arrived  at  Saratoga,  Burgoyne  for  the  double 
purpose  of  supplying  himself,  and  annoying  the  Ameri- 
cans, detached  Col.  Baum  with  a  strong  detachment 
to  Bennington  in  Vermont,  to  take,  or  destroy  the 
magazines  at  that  place.  On  approa  hing  the  place 
of  his  destination,  he  found  a  more  considerable  force 
there  than  was  expected.     Gen.  Starke*  with  r  body 

*  General  Stark  was  a  native  of  Londonderry,  in  New 


LA  FAYETTE.  103 


of  militia,  had  fortunately  reached  there  on  his  march 
to  the  camp.     Stark  attacked  Baum  in  his  entrench- 


Hampshire,  and  was  born  August  17th,  1728.  When  at 
the  age  of  2 1  years,  he  was,  while  on  a  hunting  excursion, 
surprised  and  captured  by  the  Indians,  and  remained  four 
months  a  prisoner  in  their  hands.  He  was  captain  of  a  com- 
pany of  rangers  in  the  provincial  service,  dur.ng  the  French 
war  of  1755.  and  was  with  the  British  General  Lord  Howe, 
when  he  was  killed  in  storming  the  French  lines  at  Ticon- 
deroga,  in  July,  1758.  At  the  close  of  that  war  he  retired 
with  the  reputation  of  a  brave,  and  vigilant  officer.  When 
the  report  of  Lexington  battle  ieached  him,  he  vflas  engaged 
at  work  in  his  saw-mill ;  fired  with  indignation  and  a  mar- 
tial spirit,  he  immediately  seized  his  musket,  and  with  a 
band  of  heroes  proceeded  to  Cambridge.  The  morning  af- 
ter his  arrival  he  received  a  colonel's  commission,  and  avail- 
ing himself  of  his  own  popularity,  and  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
day,  in  two  hours  he  enlisted  eight  hundred  men  !  On  the 
memorable  17th  of  June,  at  Breed's  hill,  Colonel  Stark  at 
the  head  of  his  back- woodsmen  of  New  Hampshire,  pour-d 
on  the  enemy  that  deadly  fire,  from  a  sure  aim,  which  effect- 
ed such  remarkable  destruction  in  their  ranks,  and  compel- 
led them  twice  to  retreat.  During  the  whole  of  this  dread- 
ful conflict,  Col.  Stark  evinced  that  consummate  bravery  and 
intrepid  zeal,  which  entitle  his  name  to  honor  and  perpetual 
remembrance  in  the  pages  of  our  history.  After  the  British 
evacuated  Boston,  Col.  Stark  joined  our  northern  army 
while  retreating  from  Canada,  and  he  had  the  command  of 
a  party  of  troops  who  were  employed  in  fortifying  the  post 
of  Mount  Independence.  We  next  find  him  at  Trenton,  in 
December,  1776,  where  he  shared  largely  in  the  honors  of 
that  ever  memorable  battle  under  Washington,  when  the 
Hessians  were  captured.  But  Stark  reached  the  climax  of 
his  fame,  when  in  one  of  the  daikest  and  most  desponding 
periods  f  the  American  war,  he  achieved  a  glorious  victory 
over  the  enemy  at  Bennington.  Gen.  Burgoyne,  after  pos- 
sessing himself  <  if  Ticonderoga  in  July,  1776,  and  while  ad- 
vancing at  the  head  of  his  victorious  army  towards  Albany, 
conceived  the  design  of  taking  by  surprize  a  quantity  of 
stores  which  our  people  had  deposited  at  Bennington.     For 


104  MEMOIRS  OF 


ments,  and  his  works  were  carried  by  storm.  A  total 
defeat  of  the  royal  party  ensued,  and  most  of  Baum's 
detachment  were  killed  or  taken  prisoners. 


this  enterprize  he  despatched  a  German  officer,  Lieut.  Col. 
Baum,  with  one  thousand  five  hundred  soldiers  and  one  hun- 
dred Indians,  with  two  fi  Id  pieces.  Stark  was  at  this  time 
brigadier  general  ot  militia,  and  was  in  the  vicinity  with 
about  one  thousand  four  hundred  brave  men  from  New 
Hampshire  He  advanced  towards  the  enemy  and  drew  up 
his  men  in  a  line  of  battle.  Colonel  Baum  deeming  it  im- 
prudent to  Jmgage  with  his  present  force,  halted  his  troops 
and  sent  aff  express  to  Burgoyne  for  a  reinforcement,  and  in 
the  mean  time  entrenched  and  rendered  himself  as  defensi- 
ble as  possible. 

Gen.  Burgoyne  immediately  despatched  Col  Breyman, 
with  about  one  thousand  troops,  to  reinforce  Col.  Baum  ; 
but  a  heavy  rain  and  bad  roads  prevented  his  arrival  in  sea- 
son. Col.  Stark,  on  the  J  6th  of  August,  planned  his  mode 
of  attack,  and  a  most  severe  action  ensued,  which  continued 
about  two  hours,  with  an  incessant  firing  of  musketry  and 
the  enemy's  field  artillery.  Col.  Baum  defended  himseif 
with  great  bravery  till  he  received  a  mortal  wound,  and  his 
whole  party  was  defeated.  It  was  not  long  after,  that  Col. 
Breyman  appeared  with  his  reinforcement,  and  another 
battle  ensued,  which  continued  obstinate  on  both  sides  till 
sunset,  when  the  Germans  yielded,  and  the  victory  on  our 
side  was  complete,  the  trophies  of  which  were  four  brass  field 
pieces,  and  more  than  seven  hun  red  prisoners.  For  a 
more  particular  detail  of  this  enterprize  see  page  one  hun- 
dred and  eleven  of  this  volume.  Congress,  on  the  4th  of 
October  following,  passed  a  resolve  of  thanks  to  Col.  Stark, 
and  the  officers  and  troops  under  his  command,  for  their 
brav^  and  successful  attack  and  signal  victory,  and  that 
Col  Stark  be  appointed  a  brigadier  general  in  the  army 
of  the  United  States.  Gen.  Stark  volunteered  his  services 
under  Gen.  Gates  at  Saratoga,  and  assisted  in  the  council 
which  stipulated  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Burgoyne,  nor  did  he 
relinquish  his  valuable  services  till  he  could  greet  his  native 
country  as  an  Independent  Empire.  Gen.  Stark  w  s  of  the 
middle  stature,  not  formed  by  nature  to  exhibit  an  erect  sol- 


LA  FAYETTE.  105 


In  this  action  the  Americans  took  one  thousand 
stands  of  arms  and  nine  hundred  swords.  This  was  a 
very  seasonable  and  important  supply  for  the  militia. 
Meantime  Burgoyne  encamped  on  the  heights  of  Sar- 
atoga, and  prepared  himself  to  decide,  by  a  general  en- 
gagement, the  event  of  his  expedition. 

Gen.  Gates  having  now  assumed  the  command  of 
the  northern  army,  and  being  joined  by  all  the  troops 
designed  for  his  department,  advanced  towards  the 
enemy  as  far  as  the  neighbourhood  of  Stillwater. 

On  the  19th  of  September,  Burgoyne  advanced  in 
full  force  on  the  American  army.  The  left  wing  com- 
manded by  Arnold,  was  first  engaged.  The  action 
then  became  general,  and  was  continued  with  great 
obstinacy  and  dreadful  carnage  on  both  sides,  till 
night.  Each  claimed  the  victory,  but  the  Americans 
decidedly  had  the  advantage.  The  killed  and  wound- 
ed on  their  part  were  between  three  and  four  hundred. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy  exceeded  five  hundred  in  kil- 
led and  wounded. 

In  this  action,  Col.  Morgan,*  with  his  corps  of  rifle- 

dierly  mien.  His  manners  were  frank,  and  unassuming,  but 
he  manifested  a  peculiar  sort  of  eccentricity  and  negligence, 
which  precluded  all  display  of  personal  dignity,  and  seemed 
to  place  him  among  those  of  ordinary  rank  in  life.  But  as  a 
courageous  and  heroic  soldier,  he  is  entitled  to  high  rank 
among  those  who  have  been  crowned  with  unfading  laurels, 
and  to  whom  a  large  share  of  glory  is  justly  due.  His  char- 
acter as  a  private  citizen  was  unblemished,  and  he  was  ever 
held  in  respect.  For  the  last  few  years  oi'his  life,  he  enjoy- 
ed a  pecuniary  bounty  from  the  government.  He  lived  to 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  years,  eight  months  and 
twenty -four  days,  and  died  May  8th,  1822. — Thuchcr's 
Journal 

*  Brigadier  General  Daniel  Morgan,  was  born  in  New 
Jersey,  from  whence  he  emigrated  to  Virginia,  in  1775. — 
He  was  a  poor  day  labourer.  But  when  Braddock  went  on 
his  expedition,  Morgan  joined  him,  and  received  in  battle  a 


106  MEMOIRS  OF 


men,  was  of  very  material  service,  in  consequence  of 
his  attacking  and  beating  the  Indians  and  Canadians  in 
the  woods. 

severe  wound.  When  a  young  man  he  was  extremely  dissi- 
pated, fond  of  jovial  and  pugilistic  company  and  drinking, 
and  always  took  his  part  in  any  affray  or  fight,  which  hap- 
pened in  his  presence.  The  village  where  he  lived  was  cal- 
led Battlelown9  probably  from  the  many  furious  combats 
which  took  place  under  the  banners  of  Morgan. 

When  a  company  of  riflemen  was  to  be  raised  in  Freder- 
ic County,  Virginia,  at  the  beginning  of  the  revolution,  he 
was  pointed  out  as  the  man  best  qualified  to  command  it, 
and  some  of  the  finest  young  men  in  the  country  joined  his 
corps. 

With  this  company,  he  marched  through  the  wilderness 
with  Arnold,  to  surprize  Quebec,  one  of  the  most  hazardous 
enterprizes  ever  undertaken  by  a  soldier,  and  was  at  the 
disastrous  assault  of  that  city  when  the  brave  Montgomery 
fell.  Here  he  gave  such  proofs  of  his  daring  courage  and 
good  conduct,  as  to  make  his  name  famous  in  the  army.  He 
was  however  overpowered  and  taken  prisoner  by  the  ene- 
my. While  in  confinement,  a  British  officer  came  to  Mor- 
gan and  told  him  that  his  spirit  and  enterprize  were  worthy 
a  better  cause  ;  and  that  if  he  would  leave  the  American 
interest,  and  join  the  British,  he  was  authorised  to  offer  him 
the  commission  and  rank  of  a  colonel  in  the  royal  army. — 
Morgan  rejected  this  offer  with  disdain,  and  told  the  officer, 
"  that  he  hoped  he  would  never  again  make  him  a  proposi- 
tion which  plainly  showed  he  thought  him  a  rascal." 

After  his  exchange,  at  the  recommendation  of  Washing- 
ton, he  was  honored  by  Congress,  with  a  colonel's  commis- 
sion. In  1777,  a  rifle  regiment  was  ordered  to  be  tormed, 
by  selecting  the  men  from  companies  already  formed,  and 
Colonel  Morgan  was  appointed  to  the  command  This 
celebrated  corps  was  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  the  ser- 
vice on  many  trying  occasions,  and  never  more  so  than  at 
the  taking  of  Burgoyne  ;  and  yet  Gen.  Gates,  in  consequence 
of  a  private  pique,  never  mentioned  him  in  his  official  ac- 
count of  the  battle  to  congress. 

After  assisting  in  the  victory  at  the  north,  Morgan  again 


LA  FAYETTE.  107 


After  the  battle,  Gen.  Gates,  whose  numbers  increa- 
sed daily,  occupied  his  former  position,  at  btillwater, 
and  Gen.  Burgoyne  took  post  almost  within  cannon 
shot  of  the  American  camp.  Both  armies  retained 
their  positions  until  the  7th  of  October  ;  the  British 
general  in  hope  of  being  relieved  by  the  arrival  of 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  from  Canada,  and  Gen.  Gates,  in 
the  expectation  of  growing  so  strong  by  the  arrival  of 
militia,  as  to  make  sure  of  his  adversary. 

But  all  hopes  of  relief  being  at  an  end,  and  Bur- 
goyne finding  that  his  provisions  would  not  enable  him 
to  hold  out  more  than  three  or  four  days  longer,  deter- 
mined to  hazard  another  engagement.  In  this  also, 
the  Americans  gained  a  decided  advantage.  Bur- 
goyne then  took  a  stronger  position,  while  Gates,  in- 
stead of  attacking  him,  very  properly  threw  his  army 
into  such  a  position  as  entirely  to  cut  off  his  retreat. 
Burgoyne,  however,  attempted  to  make  his  escape  in 
the  night,  but  found  it  impossible  to  remove  his  artil- 
lery, or  heavy  baggage.  He  found  also,  that  General 
Gates  had  taken  the  precaution  to  guard  all  the  passes 
at  which  a  retreat  could  have  been  made. 

In  this  hopeless  condition  of  his  army,  Burgoyne 
had  the  severe  mortification  of  being  compelled  to  of- 

joined  Washington,  who  always  chose  to  have  him  and  his 
corps,  under  nis  own  command.  He  afterwards  served 
under  Gates  and  Greene,  at  the  south,  and  always  with  great 
reputation. 

In  1781,  Congress  appointed  him  a  brigadier  general 
by  brevet,  and  having  served  his  country  to  the  close  of  the 
war,  he  retired  to  his  farm  in  Frederic  County,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  As  he  approached  the 
close  of  life,  he  resorted  to  religion  for  that  consolation, 
which  reflection  on  his  former  conduct  could  not  give.  He 
manifested  great  penitence  for  the  folly  and  wretchedness  of 
his  early  days,  and  joined  the  Presbyterian  church  in  full 
communion,  with  which  he  continued  to  his  last  day. 


108  MEMOIRS  OF 


fer  to  an  American  general  terms  of  capitulation  for 
himself  and  all  under  his  command. 

The  terms  agreed  on  were,  that  the  British  army 
should  march  out  of  their  camp  with  all  the  honours 
of  war;  that  they  should  then  lay  down  Jtheir  arms, 
and  not  serve  against  America  until  exchanged. 

This  was  one  of  the  most  splendid  achievments 
acquired  by  the  American  arms  during  the  revolution. 
The  whole  number  which  surrendered  was  nearly  six 
thousand.  Besides  which,  the  Americans  obtained  a 
fine  train  of  artillery  ;  seven  thousand  stands  of  arms  ; 
clothing  for  seven  thousand  recruits,  about  to  be  en- 
listed in  the  country  ;  a  great  number  of  tents,  and  a 
large  amount  of  military  stores. 

These  articles  were  all  exceedingly  needed  by  tha* 
almost  naked  and  poorly  armed  Americans. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  joy  which  this  victory 
produced  throughout  the  United  btates.  It  was  sup- 
posed that  the  contest  was  now  nearly  at  an  end,  and 
that  this  blow  decided  the  independence  of  America. 
On  the  British  cabinet  a  very  different  sensation 
was  produced.  The  conquest  of  America  had  been 
considered  by  that  cabinet  as  nearly  completed,  and 
it  was  generally  believed  that  the  rebels  would  not,  or 
could  not,  hold  out  another  campaign.  This  news 
carried  with  it  a  conviction,  that  the  conquest  of 
America  was  much  more  easily  effected  by  the  minis- 
ters at  St.  James',  than  by  their  officers  and  soldiers 
in  the  field  of  battle. 

But  while  the  feelings  of  triumph,  and  the  shouts  of 
joy,  pervaded  the  country  on  account  of  Gates'  victo- 
ry, a  gloomy  and  distressing  spectacle  presented  itself 
at  Valley  Forge. 

"  In  the  month  of  December,"  says  Dr.  Thacher, 
"  the  troops  were  employed  in  erecting  log  huts  for 
winter  quarters,  when  about  one  half  of  the  men  were 
destitute  of  small  clothes,  shoes  and  stockings;  some 
thousands  were  without  blankets,  and  were  obliged  t© 


LA  FAYETTE.  10& 


warm  themselves  over  fires  all  the  night,  after  the  fa- 
tigues of  the  day,  instead  of  reposing  in  comfortable 
lodgings.  At  one  time,  nearly  three  thousand  men 
were  returned  unfit  for  duty  from  want  of  clothing,  and 
it  was  not  uncommon  to  track  the  march  of  the  men, 
over  ice  and  frozen  ground,  by  the  blood  from  their 
naked  feet.  Several  times  during  the  winter,  they 
experienced  little  less  than  a  famine  in  camp,*  and 
more  than  once,  the  general  officers  were  alarmed  by 
the  fear  of  a  total  dissolution  of  the  army,  from  the 
want  of  provisions.  For  two  or  three  weeks  in  suc- 
cession, the  men  were  on  half  allowance,  and  for  four 
or  five  days  without  bread,  and  for  as  many  without 
beef  or  pork.  It  was  with  great  difficulty  that  men 
enough  could  be  found  in  a  condition  fit  to  discharge 
the  military  duties  of  the  camp  from  day  to  day,  and 
for  this  purpose,  those  who  were  naked  borrowed  of 
those  who  had  clothes.  It  cannot  be  deemed  strange, 
that  sickness  and  mortality  were  the  consequence  of 
such  privations  in  the  midst  of  an  inclement  season. 
This  was  the  unhappy  condition  of  that  army,  on 
whom  Washington  had  to  rely  for  the  defence  of  every 
thing  held  most  dear  by  Americans ;  and  this  too, 
while  situated  within  sixteen  miles  of  a  powerful  ad- 
versary, with  a  greatly  superior  army  of  veterans, 
watching  with  a  vigilant  eye  for  an  opportunity  to  ef- 
fect its  destruction." 

Notwithstanding  this  miserable  condition  of  the  ar- 
my in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Congress,  that  body  in 
the  course  of  the  winter  started  and  matured  a  plan 
for  an  expedition  to  Canada,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
another  trial  to  annex  that  colony  to  the  United  States. 

The  full  confidence  which  Congress  reposed  in  the 

*  At  one  tira#,  viz.  on  the  22nd  of  December,  "  the  alarm- 
ing fact  was  disclosed,  that  the  commissary's  stores  were 
entirely  exhausted,  and  that  the  last  ration  had  been  deliver- 
ed and  consumed." — Marshall. 
10 


110  MEMOIRS  OF 


military  talents  and  bravery  of  the  young  marquis, 
was  evinced  on  this  occasion.  He  was  appointed  to 
command  the  expedition,  with  Generals  Conway*  and 
Starke  as  second  and  third  under  his  direction. 

*  Major  general  Thomas  Gonway,  knight  of  the  order  of 
St.  Louis.  This  gentleman  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  went 
with  his  parents  to  France,  at  the  age  of  six  years,  and  was 
from  his  youth  educated  to  the  profession  of  arms.  He  had 
obtained  considerable  reputation  as  a  military  officer,  and  as 
a  man  of  sound  understanding  and  judgment.  He  arrived 
from  France,  with  ample  recommendations,  and  Congress 
appointed  him  a  brigadier  general  in  May,  1777.  He  soon 
became  conspicuously  inimical  to  General  Washington,  and 
sought  occasions  to  traduce  his  character.  In  this  he  found 
support  from  a  faction  in  Congress,  who  were  desirous  that 
the  commander  in  chief  should  be  superseded.  The  Con- 
gress not  long  after  elected  General  Conway  to  the  office  of 
inspector  general  to  our  army,  with  the  rank  of  major  gene- 
ral, though  he  had  insulted  the  commander  in  chief,  and 
justified  himself  in  doing  so.  This  gave  umbrage  to  the 
brigadiers  over  whom  he  was  promoted,  and  they  remon- 
strated to  Congress  against  the  proceeding,  as  implicating 
their  honor  and  character.  Conway,  now  smarting  under 
the  imputation  of  having  instigated  a  hostile  faction  against 
the  illustrious  Washington,  and  being  extremely  unpopular 
among  the  officers  in  general,  and  finding  his  situation  did 
not  accord  with  his  feelings  and  views,  resigned  his  commis- 
sion, without  having  commenced  the  duties  of  inspector. 
He  was  believed  to  be  an  unprincipled  intriguer,  and  after 
his  resignation,  his  calumny  and  detraction  of  the  comman- 
der in  chief,  and  the  army  generally,  was  exercised  with  un- 
restrained virulence  and  outrage. 

No  man  was  more  zealously  engaged  in  the  scheme  of 
elevating  General  Gates  to  the  station  of  commander  in 
chief.  His  vile  insinuations,  and  direct  assertions  in  the 
public  newspapers,  and  in  private  conversation,  relative  to 
the  incapacity  of  Washington  to  conduct  the  operations  of 
the  army,  received  countenance  from  several  members  of 
Congress,  who   were  induced  to  declare  their  want  of  con- 


LA  FAYETTE.  Ill 


Judge  Marshall  gives  the   following  notices  of  the 
Marquis,  in  his  account  of  this  proposed  expedition. 

fidence  in  him,  and  the  affair  assumed  an  aspect  threaten- 
ing the  most  disastrous  consequences.  Conway  maintained 
a  correspondence  with  General  Gates  on  the  subject,  and  in 
one  of  his  letters,  he  thus  expresses  himself.  'v  Heaven  has 
been  determined  to  save  your  country,  or  a  weak  General 
and  bad  counsellors  would  have  ruined  it."  He  was  him- 
self at  tl*ut  time,  one  of  the  counsellors,  against  whom  he  so 
basely  inveighs.  Envy  and  malice  ever  are  attendant  on 
exalted  genius  and  merit.  But  the  delusion  was  of  short 
continuance  ;  the  name  of  Washington  proved  unassailable, 
and  the  base  intrigue  of  Conway  recoiled  with  bitterness  on 
his  own  head.  General  Cadwallader,  of  Pennsylvania,  in- 
dignant at  the  attempt  to  vilify  the  character  of  Washington, 
resolved  to  avenge  himself  on  the  aggressor,  in  personal  com- 
bat. In  Major  Garden's  Anecdotes  of  the  Revolutionary 
War,  &c.  we  have  the  following  detailed  particulars  of  the 
duel.  "  The  parties  having  declared  themselves  ready,  the 
word  was  given  to  proceed.  General  Conway  immediately 
raised  his  pistol,  and  tired  with  great  composure,  but  with- 
out effect.  General  Cadwallader  was  about  to  do  so,  when 
a  sudden  gust  of  wind  occurring,  he  kept  his  pistol  down, 
and  remained  tranquil.  "  Why  do  you  not  fire,  General 
Cadwallader  ?"  exclaimed  Conway,  "  Because,"  replied 
General  Cadwallader,  "  we  came  not  here  to  trifle.  Let  the 
gale  pass,  and  I  shall  act  my  part."  "  You  shall  have  a 
fair  chance  of  performing  it  well,"  rejoined  Conway,  and 
immediately  presented  a  full  front.  General  Cadwallader 
fired,  and  his  ball  entered  the  mouth  of  his  antagonist  ;  he 
fell  direclly  forward  on  his  face.  Colonel  Morgan,  running 
to  his  assistance,  found  the  blood  spouting  from  behind  his 
neck,  and  lifting  up  the  club  of  his  hair,  saw  the  ball  drop 
from  it.  It  had  passed  through  his  head,  greatly  to  the  de- 
•  rangement  of  his  tongue  and  teeth,  but  did  not  inflict  a  mor- 
tal wound.  As  soon  as  the  blood  was  sufficiently  washed 
away  to  allow  him  to  speak,  General  Conway,  turning  to 
his  opponent,  said  good  humouredly,  "  You  fire,  general, 
with  much  deliberation,  and  certainly  with  a  great  deal  of 
effect."     The  calls  of  honor  being  satisfied,  all   animosity 


J 12  MEMOIRS  OF 


"  This  young  Nobleman,  possessing  an  excellent 
heart,  and  all  the  military  enthusiasm  of  his  country, 
had  left  France  early  in  1777,  ostensibly  in  opposition 
to  the  will  of  his  sovereign,  to  engage  in  the  service  of 
the  United  States.  His  high  rank,  and  supposed  in- 
fluence at  the  court  of  Versailles,  soon  secured  him 
the  unlimited  confidence  of  his  countrymen  in  Ameri- 
ca, and,  added  to  his  frankness  of  manners  and  zeal  in 
their  cause,  recommended  him  very  strongly  to  Con- 
gress. While  the  claims  of  others  of  the  same  coun- 
try were  so  exorbitant  that  they  could  not  be  gratified 
on  the  subject  of  rank,  he  demanded  no  station  in  the 
army,  would  consent  to  receive  no  compensation,  and 
offered  to  serve  as  a  volunteer.  He  had  stipulated 
with  Mr.  Deane  for  the  rank  of  Major  General  without 
emolument  ;  but  on  the  current  of  ill  fortune  (to  the 
American  army)  which  occurred  late  in  the  year  1777, 
he  was  advised  not  to  embark.  The  honorary  rank  of 
c: , — , 

subsided,  and  they  parted  free  from  all  resentment.  Gene- 
ral Conway,  conceiving  his  wound  to  be  mortal,  and  believ- 
ing death  to  be  near,  acted  honourably,  in  addressing  to 
General  Washington,  whom  he  had  perfidiously  slandered, 
the  following  letter  of  apology. 

Philadelphia,  February  23d,  1778. 
Sib, 

I  find  myself  just  able  to  hold  my  pen  during  a  few 
minutes,  and  take  this  opportunity  of  expressing  my  sincere 
grief,  for  having  done,  written,  or  said,  any  thing  disagreea- 
ble to  your  Excellency.  My  career  will  soon  be  over, 
therefore  justice  and  truth  prompt  me  to  declare  my  last 
sentiments.  You  are  in  my  eyes  the  great  and  good  man 
May  you  long  enjoy  the  love,  esteem  and  veneration  of 
these  states,  whose  liberties  you  have  asserted,  by  your  vir- 
tues. 

I  am,  with  the  greatest  respect, 
Your  Excellency's 
Most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 
Ths.  Conway 


LA  FAYETTE.  113 


Major  General  was  conferred  on  him  directly  after  his 
arrival  in  America,  but  without  any  immediate  com- 
mand. In  this  capacity,  he  sought  for  danger,  and 
was  wounded  at  the  battle  af  Brandywine.  He  at- 
tached himselfwiththea.Jour  of  youth  to  the  com- 
mander in  chief,  who  felt  for  him  in  turn  a  warm  and 
sincere  friendship,  and  paved  the  way  to  bestowing  on 
him  a  command  equal  to  his  rank. 

"  Without  any  previous  information  that  such  an 
expedition  was  contemplated,  General  Washington  re- 
ceived from  the  president  of  the  board  of  war,  on  the 
24th  of  January,  a  letter,  inclosing  one  of  the  same 
date  to  the  Marquis,  requiring  his  immediate  atten- 
dance on  Congress  to  receive  his  instructions.  No 
other  communication  was  made  to  the  commander  in 
chief,  than  to  request  that  he  would  furnish  Colonel 
Hazen's  regiment,  chiefly  composed  of  Canadians,  for 
the  expedition,  and  in  the  same  letter,  his  advice  and 
opinion  were  asked  respecting  it.  The  north  was  re- 
lied on  for  furnishing  the  force  with  which  the  plan 
was  to  be  executed.     Without  noticing  the  manner  in 

fhich  this  business  was  conducted,  and  the  unusual 
ant  of  confidence  it  betrayed,*  orders  were  given  to 
Hazen's  regiment  to  march  to  Albany,  and  the  Mar- 
quis immediately  to  the  residence  of  Congress.  At 
his  request,  Major  General  the  Baron  De  Kalb  was 
added  to  the  expedition  ;  after  which  he  repaired  in 
person  to  Albany,  in  order  to  take  charge  of  the  troops 
who  were  to  be  there  assembled,  and  from  whence  he 
was  to  cross  the  lakes  on  the  ice,  and  to  attack  Mont- 
real. 

On  his  arrival  at  Albany,  he  found  no  preparations 
made  for  the  expedition.  *  Nothing  which   had   been 

*  At  the  time  when  the  expedition  to  Canada  was  projec- 
ted, there  was  a  party  in  Congress,  who  were  plotting 
Washington's  downfall,  and  had  digested  a  plan  to  have 
him  superseded  by  General  Gates. 

10  * 


114  MEMOIRS  OF 


promised  was  in  readiness.  He  therefore  abandoned 
the  enterprise  as  totally  impracticable.  Some  time 
afterwards,  Congress  also  determined  on  its  relinquish- 
ment ;  and  General  Washington  was  authorized  to 
recall  both  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  and  the  Baron 
DeKalb.* 


¥  Major  General  Baron  de  Kalb  was  a  German  by  birth ; 
and,  from  the  best  information  obtainable,  must  hove  served 
during  the  war  of  1755  in  some  of  the  interior  stations  of  the 
quarter  master  general's  department,  in  the  imperial  army 
operating  with  that  of  his  most  christian  majesty  ;  it  being 
well  ascertained  by  his  acquaintances  in  our  army,  that  he 
was  intimately  versed  in  the  details  of  that  department. 
Towards  the  close  of  that  war  he  must  have  been  despatch- 
ed by  the  French  court  to  North  America,  as  he  has  himself 
often  mentioned  his  having  traversed  the  then  British  pro- 
vinces in  a  concealed  character ;  the  objeet  of  which  tour 
cannot  be  doubted,  as  the  Baron  never  failed,  when  speak- 
iug  of  the  existing  war,  to  express  his  astonishment,  how 
any  government  could  have  so  blundered  as  to  have  effaced 
the  ardent  and  deep  affection  which,  to  his  own  knowledge, 
existed  on  the  part  of  the  colonies  to  Great  Britain,  previou; 
to  the  late  rupture. — A  preference,  equalled  only  by  th 
antipathy  to  the  French  nation,  which  was  so  powerful  as 
to  induce  the  Baron  to  consider  it,  as  he  called  it,  "  instinc- 


tive 


?? 


Just  before  the  peace,  our  incognitus,  becoming  suspect- 
ed, was  arrested,  and  for  a  few  days  he  was  imprisoned. 
On  examination  of  his  baggage  and  papers,  nothing  could 
be  found  confirming  the  suspicion  which  had  induced  his  ar- 
rest, and  he  was  discharged. 

Such  discovery  was  not  practicable,  as  during  this  tour, 
the  Baron  declared,  that  he  relied  entirely  upon  his  memory, 
which  was  singularly  strong,  never  venturing  to  commit  to 
paper  the  information  of  others  or  his  own  observations. 
On  the  restoration  of  peace  the  Baron  returned  to  Europe, 
and  came  once  more  to  America,  in  1777  or  1778,  recom* 
mended  to  Congress  as  an  experienced  soldier,  worthy  of 
confidence.    A  Brigadier  in  the  service  of  France,  he  was 


LA  FAYETTE.  115 


Washington  informed  Congress,  in  a  letter  dated 
April  10,  that  "  Major  Genera)  the  Marquis  de  la  Fay. 

honoured  by  Congress  with  the  rank  of  Major  General,  and 
repaired  to  the  main  army,  in  which  he  served  at  the  head 
of  the  Maryland  division,  very  much  respected. 

Possessing  a  stout  frame,  with  excellent  health,  no  officer 
was  more  able  to  encounter  the  toils  of  war.  Moderate  in 
mental  powers,  as  in  literary  acquirements,  he  excelled  chief- 
ly in  practical  knowledge  of  men  and  things,  gained  during 
a  long  life  by  close  and  accurate  investigation  of  the  cause 
and  effect  of  passing  events. 

We  all  know  that  the  court  of  France  has  been  uniformly 
distinguished  by  its  superior  address  and  management  in 
diving  into  the  secrets  of  every  nation,  whether  friend  or  foe, 
with  whom  it  has  relation. 

The  business  of  espionage  has  been  brought  in  France  to 
a  science,  aud  a  regular  trained  corps,  judiciously  organized, 
is  ever  in  the  service  of  the  court.  Of  this  body  there  is 
strong  reason  to  believe  that  the  baron  was  a  member,  and 
probably  one  of  the  chief  confidants  of  that  government  in 
the  United  States.  No  man  was  better  qualified  for  the  un- 
dertaking. He  was  sober,  drinking  water  only ;  abstemi- 
ous to  excess ;  living  on  bread,  sometimes  with  beef  soup, 
at  other  times  with  cold  beef;  industrious,  it  being  his  con- 
stant habit  to  rise  at  five  in  the  morning,  light  his  candle, 
devote  himself  to  writing,  which  was  never  intermitted  du- 
ring the  day,  but  when  interrupted  by  his  short  meals,  or  by 
attention  to  his  official  duty  ;  and  profoundly  secret.  He 
wrote  in  hieroglyphics,  not  upon  sheets  of  paper,  as  is  custo- 
mary in  camps,  but  in  large  folio  books;  which  were  care- 
fully preserved,  waiting  to  be  transmitted  to  his  unknown 
correspondent,  whenever  a  safe  opportunity  might  offer* 
He  betrayed  an  unceasing  jealousy,  lest  his  journals  and  his 
mystic  dictionary  might  be  perused  ;  and  seemed  to  be  very 
much  in  dread  of  losing  hi^uBtge ;  which,  in  itself,  was 
too  trifling  to  be  regarded  ,<#ntl  would  orjjy  have  attracted 
such  unvarying  ear<  valuable  paper  deposit.     He 

never  failed  to  djp^^^^Hraii^HSejut?' place  him  as  near 
the  centre  of  theJ^MFwas  allowable,  having  an  utter 
aversion  to  be  in  f&Svlcinity  of  either  flauk,  lest  an  adver> 


i  16  MEMOIRS  OF 


etto  had  arrived  at  camp,  and  would  assume  the  com 
mand  of  his  division." 


turing  partisan  should  carry  off  his  baggage.  What  became 
of  his  journals  is  not  known  ;  but  very  probably  he  did  not 
venture  to  take  them  into  South  Carolina  ;  what  is  most 
probable,  he  placed  puch  as  remained  in  the  hands  of  the 
French  minister  for  transmission  to  Paris,  when  he  was  or- 
dered to  the  South. 

If  he  continued  to  write  when  marching  to  South  Caroli- 
na, his  progress  must  have  been  slow,  as  he  was  necessarily 
much  engaged  in  the  duties  of  his  command,  which  became 
multiplied  by  the  extreme  difficulty  with  which  subsistence 
was  procurable.  Whether  his  baggage  was  captured  is  not 
known  to  me  ;  but  it  cannot  be  doubted,  that  his  papers  did 
not  fall  into  the  possession  of  the  enemy  ;  as  in  such  event, 
we  should  probably  have  heard  not  only  of  the  fact,  but  also 
of  their  contents.  No  man  surpassed  this  gentleman  in 
simplicity  and  condescension  ;  which  gave  to  his  deport- 
ment a  cast  of  amiability  extremely  ingratiating,  exciting 
confidence  and  esteem.  Although  nearer  seventy  than  sixty 
years  of  age,  such  had  been  the  temperance  of  his  life,  that 
he  not  only  enjoyed  to  the  last  day  the  finest  healthy  but  his 
countenance  still  retained  the  bloom  of  youth  ;  which  cir- 
cumstance very  probably  ltd  to  the  error  committed  by 
those  who  drew  up  the  inscription  on  the  monument,  erected 
by  order  of  Congress.  This  distinguished  mark  of  respect 
was  well  deserved,  and  is  herewith  presented  to  the  reader. 

Resolved,  that  a  monument  be  erected  to  the  memory  of 
the  deceased  Major  General  Baron  de  Kalb,  in  the  town  of 
Annapolis,  in  the  state  of  Maryland,  with  the  following  in- 
scription. 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  Baron  de  KalH,  Knight  of 
the  royal  order  of  military  merit,  Brigadier  of  the  armies  of 
France,  and  Major  General  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States  of  America.  Having  served  with  honour  and  reputa- 
tion for  three  years,  he  gave  a  last  and  glorious  proof  of  his 
attachment  to  the  liberties  of  mankind,  and  to  the  cause  of 
America,  in  the  action  near  Camden,  in  the  state  of  South 
Carolina  ;  where,  leading  on  the  regular  troops  of  Mary- 
land and  Delaware  against  superior  forces,  and  animating 


LA  FAYETTE.  117 


In  the  month  of  April,  1778,  the  frigate  La  Sensible 
arrived  from  France,  bringing  the  joyful  intelligence, 
that  a  treaty  of  alliance  and  commerce  had  been 
formed  between  the  United  States  of  America  and  the 
kingdom  of  France.  The  joy  which  this  important 
news  diffused  throughout  the  country  may  be  conceiv- 
ed, when  it  is  remembered  that  this  event  had  been 
long  expected,  and  that  the  delays  were  such,  that  it 
was  seriously  apprehended  the  negotiation  'was  likely 
to  fail. 

So  early  as  1775,  the  Americans  had  directed  their 
attention  to  France,  as  a  power  from  which  assistance, 
If  necessary,  might  be  obtained,  in  the  contest  against 
England.  The  scarcity  of  arms  and  ammunition  in 
the  colonies,  made  it  absolutely  necessary  to  seek 
foreign  aid  on  these  accounts. 

In  1776,  Mr.  Silas  Deane  was  sent  to  France,  as  a 
political  and  commercial  agent.  His  instructions 
were,  to  endeavour  to  obtain  munitions  of  war,  and  to 
gain  all  the  information  in  his  power  concerning  the 
disposition  of  the  French  court  towards  the  Ameri- 
cans, in  respect  to  their  contest  with  Great  Britain. 

On  the  declaration  of  independence,  the  court  of 
Versailles  privately  assisted  the  Americans  in  the 
means  of  prosecuting  the  war.  but  refused  to  recognize 
the  United  States  as  a  free  and  independent  nation. 

A  committee  was  however,  appointed  by  Congress 
to  negotiate  foreign  alliances,  and  Dr.  Franklin,  Mr. 
Deane,  and  Mr.  Arthur  Lee  were  deputed  to  France. 
They  assembled  in  Paris,  and  had  an  immediate  inter- 
view with  the  French  minister,  the  Count  De  Ver- 
gennes.     He   privately   encouraged    their   suit ;  but 

them  by  his  example  to  deeds  of  valour,  he  was  wounded  in 
several  places,  and  died  the  19th  of  August  following,  in  the 
forty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  The  Congress  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  acknowledgment  of  his  zeal,  of  his  ser- 
vices, and  of  his  merit,  hath  erected  this  monument." — Lee's 
Memoirs. 


118  MEMOIRS  OF 


being  unwilling  at  that  time  to  give  umbrage  to  the 
court  of  St.  James,  and  through  fear  also,  that  the 
Americans  would  not  be  able  to  achieve  their  inde- 
pendence, it  was  understood  that  their  cause  should  be 
publicly  discountenanced,  in  this  state  of  doubt  and 
delay,  our  commissioners  received  the  news  of  the 
surrender  of  Burgoyne  and  his  army. 

At  this  juncture,  they  pressed  the  cabinet  to  accept 
their  treaty,  as  it  was  probable  that  Great  Britain 
would  offer  terms  of  peace,  and  it  was  of  the  last  im- 
portance for  Congress  to  know  what  might  be  expect- 
ed from  France.  The  result  was,  that  the  indepen- 
dence of  the  United  States  was  acknowledged,  and  a 
treaty  of  alliance  and  commerce  was  entered  into  be- 
tween the  two  nations. 

A  courie?  was  then  despatched  to  the  court  of  Mad- 
rid, with  information  of  the  line  of  conduct  pursued 
by  France,  and  on  its  basis,  a  treaty  was  also  concluded 
between  Spain  and  America. 

These  treaties  were  received  and  ratified  by  Con- 
gress in  May,  1778.  On  this  occasion,  Washington 
writes  to  Congress  thus  :  "  With  infinite  pleasure  I 
beg  leave  to  congratulate  Congress  on  the  very  impor- 
tant and  interesting  advices  brought  by  the  frigate  La 
Sensible.  As  soon  as  Congress  may  think  it  expedi- 
ent, I  shall  be  happy  to  have  an  opportunity  of  an- 
nouncing to  the  army,  with  the  usual  ceremony,  such 
parts  of  the  intelligence  as  may  be  proper,  and  sanc- 
tioned by  authority."*     Accordingly,  oh  the    5th  of 

*  On  that  occasion,  the  following  general  order  was  issued 
by  the  Commander  in  Chief. 

Head  Quarters,  Camp,     ) 
Valley  Forge,  May  5th,  1778.  ) 
It  having  pleased  the  Almighty  Ruler  of  the  Universe, 
propitiously  to  defend  the  cause  of  the  United  American 
States,  and  finally,  by  raising  us  up  a  powerful  friend  among 
the  princes  of  the  earth,  to  establish  our  liberty  and  inde 


LAFAYETTE.  119 


May,  this  joyful  new*  was  communicated  to  the  army, 
and  the  occasion  was  celebrated  in  such  a  manner  as 

pendence  on  a  lasting  foundation  ;  it  becomes  us  to  set  a- 
part  a  day  for  gratefully  acknowledging  the  Divine  goodness, 
and  celebrating  the  important  event  which  we  owe  to  His 
benign  interposition. 

The  several  brigades  will  be  assembled  for  this  purpose  at 
nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning,  when  their  Chaplains  will 
communicate  the  intelligence  contained  in  the  Postscript  to 
the  Pennsylvania  Gazette  of  the  second  instant,  and  offer 
up  a  thanksgiving,  and  deliver  a  discourse  suitable  to  the 
occasion. 

At  half  past  ten  o'clock,  a  cannon  will  be  fired,  which  is 
to  be  a  signal  for  the  men  to  be  under  arms.  The  Brigade 
Inspectors  will  then  inspect  their  dress  and  arms,  form  the 
battalions  according  to  the  instructions  given  them,  and  an- 
nounce to  the  commanding  officers  of  brigades  that  the  bat- 
talions are  formed.  The  Brigadiers  and  Commandants  will 
then  appoint  the  field  officers  to  command  the  battalions  ; 
after  whjich,  each  battalion  will  be  ordered  to  load  and  ground 
their  arms. — At  half  past  eleven,  another  cannon  will  be 
fired  as  a  signal  for  the  march  ;  on  which  the  several  bri- 
gades will  begin  their  march  by  wheeling  to  the  right  by 
platoons,  and  proceed  by  the  nearest  way  to  the  left  of  their 
ground,  in  the  new  position  that  will  be  pointed  out  by  the 
Brigade  Inspectors. — A  third  signal  will  be  given,  on  which 
there  will  be  a  discharge  of  thirteen  cannon  :  when  the 
thirteenth  has  fired,  a  running  fire  of  the  infantry  will  begin 
at  Woodford's,  and  continue  throughout  the  whole  front  line; 
it  will  then  be  taken  up  on  the  left  of  the  second  line,  and 
continue  to  the  right — on  a  signal  given,  the  whole  army 
will  huzza — Long  live  the  King  of  France  ! 

The  artillery  will  then  begin  again,  and  fire  thirteen 
rounds.  This  will  be  succeeded  by  a  second  general  dis- 
charge of  the  musketry  in  a  running  fire — Huzza  i  long  live 
the  friendly  European  Powers  !  Then  the  last  discharge  of 
thirteen  pieces  of  artillery  will  be  given,  followed  by  a  gene- 
ral running  fire  —Huzza  for  the  American  States  I 

Agreeably  to  the  above  orders,  His  Excellency  General 


120  MEMOIRS  OF 


to  form  a  new  era  in  the  feelings  and  hopes  of  all  who 
witnessed  the  ceremonies.* 

In  the  month  of  March,  Lord  Howe  sent  Colonel 
Mawhood  and  Major  bimcoe  into  New  Jersey,  on  a 
foraging  expedition,  with  about  1200  men.  They 
landed  at  Salem,  where  a  party  of  militia  had  been 
stationed,  and  a  skirmish  ensued,  in  which  the  Ameri- 
cans lost  in  killed,  wounded  and  taken,  fifty  or  sixty 
men. 

Nol  long  after  this,  an  excursion  was  planned  a- 
gainst  General  Lacy,  who,  with  about  six  hundred 
men,  was  guarding  the  roads  to  Philadelphia.  The 
party  of  militia  being  too  small  to  make  an  effectual 

Washington,  his  lady  and  suite,  Lord  Stirling,  the  Countess 
of  Stirling,  with  other  genera!  officers  and  ladies,  attended  at 
nine  o'clock  at  the  Jersey  brigade,  when  the  Postcript  men- 
tioned above,  wns  read,  and  after  prayer  a  suitable  discourse 
delivered  to  Lord  Strling's  division,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hun- 
ter. 

On  the  signal  at  half  after  eleven,  the  whole  army  repair- 
ed to  their  alarm  posts  5  on  which  General  Washington,  ac- 
companied by  the  general  officers,  reviewed  the  whole  army 
at  their  respective  posts  ;  and  after  the  firing  of  the  cannon 
and  musketry,  and  the  huzzas  were  given,  agreeably  to  the 
orders,  the  army  returned  to  their  respective  brigade  pa- 
rades, and  were  dismissed. 

All  the  officers  of  the  army  then  assembled,  and  partook 
of  a  collation  provided  by  the  General,  at  which  several  pat- 
riotic toasts  were  given,  accompanied  with  three  cheers. 
His  Excellency  took  leave  of  the  officers  at  five  o'clock,  on 
which  there  was  universal  huzzaing — Long  live  General 
Washington !  and  clapping  of  hands  till  the  General  rode 
some  distance.  The  non  commissioned  officers  and  pri- 
vates followed  the  example  of  their  officers  as  the  General 
passed  their  brigades.  Approbation  indeed  was  conspicu- 
ous in  every  countenance,  and  universal  joy  reigned  through- 
out the  camp. — Tha cher's  Journal. 

*  Official  letters. 


LA  FAYETTE.  121 


resistance,  were  entirely  dispersed,  and  Gen.  Lacy 
made  his  escape  with  the  loss  of  his  baggage. 

The  enemy  at  Philadelphia  frequently  detached 
foraging  parties  into  the  country  in  various  directions, 
who  generally  effected  their  purpose,  and  returned 
before  their  movements  were  known  at  Valley  Forge. 
To  prevent  such  excursions,  and  at  the  same  time  to 
be  in  readiness  to  annoy  the  rear  of  the  British  army, 
should  it  move  from  the  city,  an  event  which  was  ex- 
pected, the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  was  detached  with 
about  two  thousand  selected  troops,  and  a  few  pieces 
of  cannon,  to  take  post  near  the  enemy's  lines. 

As  this  corps  formed  the  flower  of  the  American 
army,  the  Commander  in  Chief  enjoined  on  the  Mar- 
quis the  utmost  attention  to  its  safety,  and  recommen- 
ded to  him  not  to  take  post  at  one  place  for  any  con- 
siderable time,  because  this  would  give  the  enemy 
time  to  concert  measures  against  him. 

With  this  detachment,  Gen.  La  Fayette  crossed  the 
Schuylkill  on  the  18th  of  May,  and  took  post  at  Bar- 
ren Hills,  about  ten  miles  from  the  army  at  Valtev 
Forge. 

Immediate  notice  of  this  movement  was  given  to 
Sir  William  Howe,*  who,  having  reconnoitered  La 
Fayette's  position,  concerted  a  plan  to  surprise  and 
cut  him  off. 


*  Richard  Howe,  Earl,  a  gallant  Admiral,  was  born  in 
lv25,  and  entered  the  naval  service  at  so  early  an  age,  that 
at  20,  he  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  a  sloop  of  war, 
in  which  he  beat  off  two  large  French  frigates,  after  a  gal- 
lant action,  for  which  he  was  made  a  Post  Captain.  After 
a  variety  of  active  service,  he  obtained  the  command  of  the 
Dunkirk,  of  60  guns,  with  which  he  captured  a  French  64, 
off  Newfoundland.  In  1757,  he  served  under  Admiral 
flawke,  and  the  year  following,  was  appointed  Commodore 
of  a  squadron,  with  which  he  destroyed  a  number  of  ships 
and  magazines  at  St.  Malo.  In  1759,  Prince  Edward,  af- 
terwards duke  ©f  York,  was  put  under  his  care,  ant!  the 

11 


122  MEMOIRS  OF 


For  this  purpose,  General  Grant,  with  five  thousand 
select  troops,  on  the  night  of  the  19th,  silently  march- 
ed out  of  the  city,  and  taking  a  circuitous  route,  by 
the  way  of  White  marsh,  he  gained  the  rear  of  the 
Marquis,  and  took  post  between  him  and  Valley 
Forge,  and  only  about  a  mile  from  his  lines.  This 
position  he  reached  about  sun-rise,  and  entirely  undis- 
covered by  the  Americans.     General  Gray  followed 

Commodore,  on  the  6th  of  August  took  Cherbourg,  and 
destroyed  the  basin.  This  was  followed  by  the  unfortunate 
affair  of  St.  Cas,  where  he  displayed  his  courage  and  human- 
ity in  saving  the  retreating  soldiers  at  the  hazard  of  his  own 
life.  The  same  year,  at  the  death  of  his  brother,  he  became 
Lord  Howe,  and  soon  afterwards  had  a  great  share  in  the 
victory  over  Conflans.  When  Admiral  Hawke  presented 
him,  on  this  occasion,  to  the  King,  his  majesty  said,  "  Your 
life,  my  Lord,  has  been  one  continued  series  of  services  to 
your  country."  In  1763,  he  was  appointed  to  the  admiralty 
board,  where  he  remained  till  1765,  when  he  was  made 
treasurer  of  the  navy.  In  1770,  he  was  appointed  com- 
mander in  chief  in  the  Mediterranean.  In  the  American 
war,  he  commanded  the  fleet  on  that  coast  In  1782,  he 
was  sent  to  the  relief  of  Gibraltar,  which  service  he  perform- 
ed in  sight  of  the  French  and  Spanish  fleets,  but  who  shun- 
ned an  action,  though  far  superior  in  numbers.  The  year 
following,  he  was  made  first  Lord  of  the  admiralty,  which 
office  he  soon  afterwards  resigned,  but  at  the  end  of  the  year 
he  was  re-appointed,  and  continued  in  that  station  till  1788, 
when  he  was  created  an  English  Earl  In  1793,  he  took 
the  command  of  the  channel  fleet,  and,  June  1,  1794,  he 
obtained  a  decisive  victory  over  the  French  fleet.  The 
same  month  he  was  visited  on  board  his  ship  at  Spithead  by 
their  majesties,  when  the  king  presented  him  with  a  magni- 
ficent sword,  a  gold  chain  and  medal.  He  also  received  the 
thanks  of  both  houses,  the  freedom  of  London,  and  the  ap- 
plause of  the  nation.  In  1795  he  became  general  of  the 
marines,  and  in  1797  was  honoured  with  the  garter.  His 
Lordship  died  in  1799,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  brother. — 
Watkins9  Biographical  Dictionary. 


LA  FAYETTE.  123 


Grant,  and  in  the  course  of  the  night,  with  another 
strong  detachment,  posted  himself  two  or  three  miles 
in  front  of  La  Fayette's  right  flank.  At  the  same 
time,  the  residue  of  Lord  Howe's  army  encamped  on 
Chesnut  hill. 

Thus  was  La  Fayette  completely  surrounded,  be- 
fore being  apprised  that  the  enemy  were  in  his  vicinity. 
His  perilous  situation  was  discovered  by  himself  and 
by  the  army  at  Valley  Forge  nearly  at  the  same  time. 
At  the  latter  place,  alarm  guns  were  immediately  fired, 
to  warn  him  of  his  danger,  and  the  whole  army  put 
under  arms  to  act  as  the  occasion  mi^ht  require.  It 
was  a  moment  of  the  greatest  perplexity,  but  required 
the  coolest  judgment,  and  the  most  decisive  action. 
In  this  dilemma,  the  young  Marquis  displayed  both, 
and  with  a  promptitude  far  above  his  years,  decided  on 
the  only  course  which  could  have  saved  him  from  the 
grasp  of  his  adversary.  His  troops  were  instantly 
put  in  motion  towards  Matson's  ford,  which  was  near- 
er the  place  of  Gen.  Grant's  post  than  his  own.  Had 
Grant  suspected  this  movement,  he  might  easily  have 
cut  him  ofF,  and  it  was  certainly  an  oversight  in  him 
that  he  did  not,  as  this  ford  was  the  only  place  where 
a  retreat  could  have  been  effected. 

Having  crossed  the  river,  La  Fayette  possessed  him- 
self of  the  high  grounds  which  the  place  arlorded,  and 
sent  back  a  small  party  to  bring  over  the  field  pieces, 
which  were  also  saved. 

Gen.  Grant  reached  the  ground  occupied  by  the 
Marquis  at  Barren  Hill,  soon  after  it  was  abandoned, 
and  came  to  Matson's  ford  just  af  er  his  rear  guard  had 
crossed  the  river,  but  finding  that  the  Americans  had 
taken  a  strong  position,  and  were  ready  to  receive  him, 
he  marched  back  to  Philadelphia,  as  did  the  whole 
British  army. 

Gen.  Grant  fell  under  the  censure  of  his  superior 
officers,  for  letting  the  Marquis  slip  away  from  him, 
after  having  obtained  so  obvious  an  advantage  in  res- 


124  MEMOIRS  OF 


pect  to  position.  But  Grant's  error  lay  in  his  persist- 
ing in  the  opinion  that  the  Marquis  still  continued  at 
Barren  hill,  without  taking  care  to  ascertain  the  fact. 
But  when  he  was  obliged  to  change  his  opinion,  it  was 
loo  late  to  remedy  his  mistake  ;  the  Marquis  was  at 
too  great  a  distance  to  be  overtaken. 

In  the  statement  of  this  affair  made  by  General  La 
Fayette,  he  represents  himself  to  have  advanced  the 
head  of  a  column  towards  Grant,  as  if  to  attack  him. 
while  the  rear  filed  ofT  rapidly  towards  Matson's  ford. 
This  movement  gained  ground,  even  for  the  front. 
which,  while  it  advanced  towards  the  enemy,  also  ap- 
proached the  river,  and  at  the  same  time  induced  Gen. 
Grant  to  halt  in  order  to  prepare  for  battle. 

While  this  manoeuvre  was  performing  under  Grant, 
a  small  party  was  thrown  into  a  church  yard,  which 
was  surrounded  by  a  wall,  on  the  road  towards  Gen. 
Gray,  which  also  gave  the  appearance  of  an  intention 
to  attack  in  that  quarter.  By  these  dispositions,  hap- 
])iiy  conceived  and  executed  with  regularity,  the 
Marquis  extricated  himself  and  his  party  from  the  de- 
struction which  had  appeared  almost  inevitable.  In 
his  letter  to  Congress,  General  Washington  termed 
this  a  "  timely  and  handsome  retreat ;"  and  certainly 
the  compliment  was  merited.* 

Here  the  inquiry  would  naturally  suggest  itself,  how 
an  officer  capable  of  conducting  a  retreat  with  such 
admirable  skill,  should  be  so  wanting  in  vigilance,  as 
to  permit  himself  to  be  surrounded  by  the  enemy 
without  suspecting  his  danger.  Gen.  La  Fayette,  in 
his  explanation  stated,  that  having  posted  a  party  of 
Pennsylvania  militia  on  his  left  flank,  he  relied  on 
them  to  guard  the  roads  about  White  Marsh,  but  with- 
out his  order  or  knowledge,  they  had  retired  into  his 
rear,  thus  leaving  the  road  by  which  the  enemy  came, 
not  only  entirely  unguarded,  but  without  any  one  to 


*  Marshall 


LA  FAYETTE,  425 


inform  him  of  their  approach.  In  May  of  this  year, 
Sir  William  Howe  resigned  the  command  of  the  army, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton.* 

On  the  morning  of  the  18th  of  June,  Philadelphia 
was  evacuated  by  the  British  army,  and  in  the  course 
of  a  few  hours,  their  whole  force  was  encamped  at 
Gloucester  Point,  on  the  Jersey  shore.  On  the  next 
day,  the  line  of  march  was  formed,  and  proceeded 
slowly  directly  up  the  Delaware.  Its  destination  was 
a  subject  of  much  speculation  and  considerable  anxie- 
ty to  the  American  officers.  A  council  of  war  was 
convened  by  the  commander  in  chief,  to  decide  the  all 
important  question,  whether  they  would  hazard  a  gen- 
eral engagement  with  the  enemy.  General  Clinton, 
according  to  the  best  estimate  that  could  be  made, 
was  about  ten  thousand  strong.  The  American  army 
amounted  to  ten  thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty-four 
effective  rank  and  file.  The  majority  of  the  council 
were  against  a  general  action.  Generals  Washington 
and  La  Fayette  were,  however,  inclined  to  engage  the 
enemy,  and  the  former,  finding  himself  supported  by 
the  private  opinions  of  several  general  officers,  in 
whom  he  had  great  confidence,  finally  concluded  to 
hazard  a  battle  on  his  own  responsibility.  As  prepara- 
tory to  this  event,  it  was  necessary  to  detach  an  able 
officer  to  take  the  command  of  about  four  thousand 
continental  troops,  which  had  been  posted  in  front  of 
the  main  army.     This  important  command  devolved, 

*  Henry  Clinton,  an  English  general,  and  Knight  of  the 
Bath,  was  the  grandson  of  Francis,  Earl  of  Lincoln,  and 
became  a  captain  in  the  guards  in  1758.  In  1778,  he  was 
appointed  General  in  North  America,  and  returned  to  Eng- 
land in  1782.  Soon  after,  he  published  a  narrative  of  his 
conduct,  which  was  replied  to  by  Earl  Cornwallis,  and  vin- 
dicated by  Sir  Henry.  In  1784  he  published  a  farther  de- 
fence of  himself.  In  1795,  he  was  made  Governour  of 
Gibraltar,  and  died  soon  after. — JVatkins'  Biox.  JJic. 
It*  ^ 


M  MEMOIRS  OF 


in  point  of  rank,  on  Major  General  Lee,  but  being 
strongly  opposed  to  hazarding  an  action,  he  did  not 
assert  his  claim,  but  assented  to  the  private  wishes  of 
Washington,  that  La  Fayette,  whose  views  agreed 
with  his  own,  should  take  that  important  command. 
Gen.  Lee,  however,  repenting  his  refusal,  Washington 
detached  him,  with  two  brigades,  to  support  the  Mar- 
quis in  case  of  necessity  ;  but  it  was  expressly  stipula- 
ted, that  if  the  Marquis  had  already  formed  any  parti- 
cular plan  of  attack,  or  any  enterprise,  that  Lee  should 
not  interfere  with  him,  though  the  latter  was  the  supe- 
rior officer. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  taken  a  strong  position  at 
Monmouth  Court  House,  and  it  was  deemed  unsafe  to 
commence  the  attack  until  he  should  begin  to  move. 

About  five  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  28th  of 
July,  Gen.  Dickinson*  gave  intelligence  at  head  quar- 
ters that  the  front  of  the  British  army  was  in  motion. 
The  Americans  immediately  beat  to  arms,  and  Gen. 
Lee  was  directed  to  commence  the  engagement  by  an 
attack  on  the  rear  of  the  enemy.  But  having  nearly 
reached  his  point  of  destination,  and  gome  within  sight 
>f  the  enemy,  Lee  permitted  his  division  to  retreat 
with  precipitation.     Washington,  who  now  approach- 

*  Philemon  Dickinson,  a  brave  officer  in  the  revolutiona- 
ry war,  died  at  his  seat  near  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  Februa- 
ry 4,  1809,  in  the  sixty-ninth  year  of  his  age.  He  took  an 
"arly  and  an  active  part  in  the  struggle  with  Great  Britain 
and  hazarded  his  ample  fortune  and  his  life  in  establishing 
our  independence.  In  the  memorable  battle  of  Monmouth, 
at  the  head  of  the  Jersey  militia,  he  exhibited  the  spirit  and 
gallantry  of  a  soldier  of  liberty.  After  the  establishment  of 
*he  present  national  government,  he  was  a  member  of  Con- 
gress. In  the  various  stations,  civil  and  military,  with 
ivhich  he  was  honoured,  General  Dickinson  discharged  them 
,nth  zeal,  uprightness,  and  ability.  The  last  twelve  or  fif- 
teen years  of  his  life  were  spent  ia  retirement  from  publk 
concerns. — Allen* s  Biog.  Dk. 


LA  FAYETTE.  127 


ed  the  scene  of  action,  met  Lee  on  the  retreat,  and 
addressed  him  with  warmth,  implying  his  disapproba 
lion  of  such  conduct,  but  at  the  same  time  ordered  him 
to  take  proper  measures  to  rally  his  troops,  and  check 
the  enemy,  who  were  now  rapidly  advancing  in  hit 
rear.  This  Lee  performed  promptly,  and  a  sharp 
conflict  ensued,  in  which  he  was  forced  to  retreat,  af- 
ter having  checked  the  progress  of  the  enemy. 

Meantime,  Generals  Greene  and  Wayne  were  warm- 
ly engaged  in  another  quarter,  and  the  action  became 
general.  On  both  sides,  great  military  ardor  and  ob 
stinacy  of  resistance  was  displayed.  The  enemy, 
however,  were  obliged  to  give  way,  and  withdrew  be- 
hind the  ravine,  at  the  place  where  the  action  first 
commenced.  Here  the  British  line  was  flanked  both 
on  the  right  and  left,  by  thick  woods  and  morasses., 
while  the  approach  to  the  front  was  through  a  narrow 
pass.  To  continue  the  engagement  under  such  cir- 
cumstances would  be  obviously  giving  the  enemy  an 
advantage.  It  was  therefore  thought  advisable  to  dis- 
continue the  action  until  next  morning,  when  a  fresh 
attack  could  be^nade  under  more  favourable  circum- 
stances. 

Every  preparation  was  accordingly  made  for  this 
purpose.  The  brigades  detached  as  flanking  parties 
lay  at  their  posts  and  on  their  arms  during  the  night, 
and  the  Commander  in  Chief  lay  down  in  his  cloak,  iu 
the  midst  of  his  soldiers. 

But  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  though  he  claimed  the  ad 
vantage  in  the  battle  already  fought,  had  good  reason* 
for  declining  the  ri^k  of  another  at  the  same  place. 
About  midnight,  therefore,  his  army  was  put  in  motion, 
and  silently  marched  off. 

The  conduct  of  the  officers  generally,  and  the  bra- 
very of  the  troops  under  their  command,  were  highi\ 
gratifying  to  Washington  during  the  action.     General 


128  MEMOIRS  OF 


Wayne,*  in  particular,  was  spoken  of  as  meriting  the 
highest  commendation. 


*  Anthony  Wayne,  Major  General  in  the  army  of  the 
United  States,  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1745.  In  1773,  he  was  appointed  a  representative  to 
the  General  Assembly,  where,  in  conjunction  with  John 
Dickinson,  Thomas  Mifflin,  Charles  Thomson,  and  other 
gentlemen,  he  took  an  active  part  in  opposition  to  the  claims 
of  Great  Britain.  In  1775,  he  quitted  the  councils  of  his 
country  for  the  field.  He  entered  the  army  as  a  Colonel, 
and  at  the  close  of  the  year  accompanied  General  Thomson 
to  Canada.  When  this  officer  was  defeated  in  his  enter- 
prise against  the  Three  Rivers  in  June,  1776,  and  taken 
prisoner,  he  himself  received  a  flesh  wound  in  the  leg.  His 
exertions  were  useful  in  the  retreat.  In  the  same  year  he 
served  at  Ticonderoga  under  General  Gates,  by  whom  he 
was  esteemed  both  for  his  courage  and  military  talents,  and 
for  his  knowledge  as  an  engineer.  At  the  close  of  the  cam- 
paign he  was  made  a  Brigadier  General.  In  the  campaign 
of  1777,  in  the  middle  states,  he  took  a  very  active  part. 
In  the  battle  of  Brandy  wine,  he  distinguished  himself,  though 
he  was  in  a  few  days  afterwards  surprised  and  defeated  by 
Major  General  Grey.  He  fought  also  in  the  battle  of  Ger- 
mantown,  as  well  as  in  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  in  June, 
1778.  In  his  most  daring  and  successful  attack  upon  Stony 
Point,  in  July  1779,  while  he  was  rushing  forward  with  his 
men  under  a  tremendous  fire  of  musketry  and  grape  shot,, 
determined  to  carry  the  works  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet, 
he  was  struck  by  a  musket  ball  upon  his  head.  He  was  for 
a  moment  stunned  ;  but  as  soon  as  he  was  able  to  rise  so  as 
to  rest  on  one  knee,  believing  that  his  wound  was  mortal,  he 
cried  to  one  of  his  aids,  "  carry  me  forward,  and  let  me  die 
in  the  fort."  When  he  entered  it,  he  gave  orders  to  stop 
the  effusion  of  blood.  In  i  78  t  he  was  ordered  to  march 
with  the  Pennsylvania  line  from  the  northward,  and  form  a 
junction  with  La  Fayette,  in  Virginia.  On  the  sixth  of  July, 
after  receiving  information,  that  the  main  body  of  the  ene- 
my, under  Cornwallis  had  crossed  James'  river,  he  pressed 
forward  at  the  head  of  eight  hundred  men  to  attack  the  rear 


LA  FAYETTE.  129 


In  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  the  Americans  lost 
eight  officers  and  sixty-one  privates  killed,  and  about 
one  hundred  and  sixty  wounded. 

The  number  of  the  enemy  killed  could  not  be  ex- 
actly ascertained.  Four  officers,  and  two  hundred 
and  forty-five  privates  were  buried  on  the  field  of  bat- 
tle, by  persons  appointed  for  that  purpose  by  Washing- 
ton, and  afterwards  others  were  found,  so  as  to  increase 
the  number  to  three  hundred.  A  number  died  on 
both  sides,  in  consequence  of  drinking  cold  water  af- 
ter being  exhausted  by  the  excessive  heat  of  the  day. 

The  conduct  of  Gen.  Lee,  during  this  action,   was 


guard.  But  to  his  utter  astonishment,  when  he  reached  the 
place,  he  found  the  whole  British  army,  consisting  of  four 
thousand  men  drawn  up,  ready  to  receive  him.  At  this 
moment,  he  conceived  of  but  one  way  to  escape.  He  rush- 
ed towards  the  enemy,  till  he  came  within  twenty-five  yards, 
when  he  commenced  a  gallant  attack,  which  he  supported 
for  a  few  minutes,  and  then  retreated  with  the  utmost  expe- 
dition. The  British  General  was  confounded  by  this  move- 
ment, and  apprehensive  of  an  ambuscade  from  La  Fayette, 
would  not  allow  of  a  pursuit.  After  the  capture  of  Corn- 
wallis,  he  was  sent  to  conduct  the  war  in  Georgia,  where 
with  equal  success,  he  contended  with  British  soldiers,  In- 
dian savages,  and  American  traitors.  As  a  reward  for  his 
services,  the  Legislature  of  Georgia  presented  him  with  a 
valuable  farm.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  he  retired  f 
private  life.  In  17H7,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Pennsylva- 
nia convention,  which  ratified  the  constitution  of  the  United 
States.  In  1792  he  succeeded  St.  Clair  in  the  command  of 
the  army  to  be  employed  against  the  Indians.  In  the  bat- 
tle of  the  Miamis,  August  20,  1794,  he  gained  a  complete 
victory  over  the  enemy ;  and  afterwards  desolated  their 
country.  On  the  third  of  August,  1795,  he  concluded  a 
treaty  with  the  hostile  Indians  northwesl  of  the  Ohio. 
While  in  the  service  of  his  country  hedn  d  in  a  hut  at  Presque 
Isle,  aged  about  fifty-one  years,  and  was  buried  on  the  shore 
of  Lake  Erie. — Allen's  Biog.  Die, 


130  MEMOIRS  OF 


highly  reprobated,  but  Washington,  hoping  for  an 
amicable  settlement,  took  no  steps  against  him,  until 
Lee  wrote  him  an  impertinent  and  haughty  letter,  and 
claimed  trial  by  a  court  martial.  He  was  then  arres- 
ted and  tried  according  to  his  wishes.  The  court 
found  him  guilty  of  all  the  charges  and  specification? 
preferred  against  him,  and  sentenced  him  to  be  sus- 
pended from  all  command  for  one  year.  This  sen- 
tence was  univeraily  approved  in  the  army,  and  wa? 
sanctioned  by  Congress. 

In  July,  1778,  the  Count  D'Estaing  arrived  from 
France,  with  twelve  ships  of  the  line,  and  six  frigates. 
to  co-operate  with  the  Americans  against  the  British. 

A  body  of  about  six  thousand  British  troops  having 
possession  of  the  town  of  Newport  in  Rhode  Island, 
an  expedition  against  that  place  was  planned  by  Wash-, 
ington  and  the  Count  soon  after  his  arrival. 

Gen.  Sullivan,  who  had  commanded  in  Rhode  Isl- 
and, the  preceding  winter,  was  directed  to  prepare  for 
the  expedition  by  calling  in  the  militia,  and  by  having 
magazines,  boats  and  pilots  in  readiness  for  the  des- 
cent. At  the  same  time,  the  Marquis  de  !a  Fayette 
was  detached  with  two  brigades  to  join  Sullivan  at 
Providence,  and  to  put  himself  under  the  command  of 
that  officer.  Gen.  Greene  was  also  ordered  to  join 
Sullivan,  and  take  his  directions.  On  the  25th  of  July 
Count  D'Estaing,  with  his  whole  fleet  appeared  oft 
Newport,  and  cast  anchor  about  five  miles  from  that 
place. 

Gen.  Sullivan  went  on  board  the  Admiral  soon  after 
his  arrival,  to  concert  the  most  proper  measures  to  be 
pursued  by  the  allied  forces.  The  two  commanders, 
after  several  propositions  on  both  sides,  determined 
that  their  whole  force  should  be  directed  against  the 
town  of  Newport  as  soon  as  possible,  and  that,  for  this 
purpose,  the  troops  from  the  fleet  were  to  be  landed 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Island,  while  the  American? 


LA  FAYETTE.  l&l 


were  to  land  at  the  north  end,  and  take  possession  of 
the  works  erected  by  the  enemy. 

To  be  in  readiness,  Gen.  Greene  marched  his  di- 
vision to  Tiverton,  where  he  was  soon  joined  by  Sul- 
livan and  La  Fayette. 

Everything  being  now  in  readiness,  the  fleet  enter- 
ed  the  channel  on  the  8th  of  August,  and  passed  the 
British  batteries  without  sustaining  injury. 

On  account  of  the  tardiness  of  the  militia,  the  land- 
ing was  proposed  by  Gen.  Sullivan  to  be  deferred  till 
the  next  day.  Meantime,  during  the  night,  the  ene- 
my forsook  their  works  at  the  north  end  of  the  Island, 
and  withdrew  into  the  lines  at  Newport.  So  soon  as 
Gen.  Sullivan  discovered  this  movement  in  the  morn- 
ing, he  determined,  without  consulting  Admiral  D'Es- 
taing,  to  take  immediate  possession  of  the  post  which 
the  enemy  had  abandoned. 

On  the  9th,  the  whole  of  Sullivan's  army,  in  confor- 
mity to  this  resolution,  crossed  the  east  passage,  and 
landed  on  the  north  end  of  Rhode  Island. 

This  movement  was  highly  resented  by  the  French 
Admiral,  because  he  was  not  consulted,  and  because 
the  American  troops  were  so  uncivil  as  to  land  before 
his  own.  The  Count,  too,  was  a  Lieutenant  General, 
while  Sullivan  was  only  a  Major  General,  so  that  k 
was  a  daring  infraction  on  the  established  rules  of  po- 
liteness, for  him  first  to  set  foot  on  the  enemy's  ground. 
These  trifling  circumstances  seemed  to  weigh  much 
with  the  Count. 

It  had  been  stipulated,  that  he  should  command  the 
French  troops,  and  one  wing  of  the  American  army3 
in  person  ;  but  this  he  now  refused  to  do,  and  request- 
ed that  La  Fayette  should  take  the  command  in  his 
place. 

But  a  circumstance  now  happened,  which,  in  the 
end,  destroyed  the  fair  prospects  of  a  signal  victory 
over  the  enemy. 

A  British  fleet  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  bay,  and, 


132  MEMOIRS  OF 


having  communicated  with  General  Pigot,  the  com- 
mander of  the  British  land  forces,  came  lo  anchor  off 
Point  Judith.  Count  D'Estaing^immediately  prepar- 
ed his  squadron  to  attack  Lord  Howe,  who  command- 
ed this  fleet.  But  Howe  weighed  anchor,  and  stood 
out  to  sea.  He  was  followed  by  D'Estaing,  and  both 
fleets  were  soon  out  of  sight. 

Gen.  Sullivan  was  now  left  without  assistance  ;  and 
as  the  enemy  now  had  the  command  of  the  sea,  rein- 
forcements might  be  thrown  into  Newport  without  in- 
terruption, and  at  the  same  time  his  retreat  entirely 
cut  off.  His  force  had  increased  by  the  arrival  of 
militia  to  about  ten  thousand  men,  and  on  the  fifteenth, 
having  received  no  intelligence  from  the  Count,  Gen. 
Sullivan  thought  best  to  act  without  waiting  his  retarn. 
and  accordingly  laid  siege  to  the  town. 

Count  D'Estaing  arrived,  however,  before  any 
thing  decisive  was  done  by  Sullivan,  and  without  hav^ 
ing  himself  done  the  least  injury  to  the  British  fleet. 
A  storm  separated  the  two  squadrons,  at  a  time  when 
an  engagement  was  about  to  commence. 

It  was  with  great  joy  that  Sullivan  and  his  army  saw 
the  approach  of  the  French  fleet,  as  the  harbinger  of 
a  brilliant  victory  over  the  enemy.  But  what  was  his 
disappointment  and  surprise  on  receiving  a  letter  from 
the  Count,  to  find,  that  instead  of  rendering  his  assis- 
tance at  Newport,  he  designed  to  sail  immediately  for 
Boston  harbour.  In  vain  did  Sullivan  represent  to 
him  that  his  co-operation  for  only  two  days  would  se- 
cure a  victory  over  the  whole  British  army  in  Rhode 
Island.  In  vain  did  Gen.  Greene  and  La  Fayette 
wait  on  him  to  urge  the  necessity  of  his  assistance  at 
so  favourable  a  juncture.  His  reply  was,  that  his 
Majesty,  the  king  of  France  had  instructed  him,  that 
in  case  his  fleet  should  meet  with  any  disaster,  or  if  a 
superior  British  fleet  should  appear  on  the  coast,  to 
sail  immediately  to  Boston,  and  that  his  present  situa- 
tion included  both  these  conditions.      His  fleet  had 


LA  FAYETTE.  138 


suffered  much  from  the  late  storm,  and  Admiral  Byron 
had  arrived  on  the  coast  with  a  considerable  squadron. 
On  the  return  of  Greene  and  La  Fayette,  with  the 
mortifying  intelligence,  that  the  Count  was  fixed  in  his 
determination  to  proceed  to  Boston,  the  chagrin  and 
vexation  of  Sullivan  was  extreme.  He  had  consider- 
ed the  British  army  as  certainly  within  his  grasp,  and 
nothing  now  prevented  his  triumph,  but  what  he  con- 
sidered the  obstinacy  and  self-will  of  the  Count.  He 
determined,  however,  to  make  one  more  effort,  and 
after  the  fleet  had  sailed,  addressed  a  letter  of  remon- 
strance to  the  Admiral,  and  pressed  him  at  any  rate,  to 
leave  his  troops  to  assist  against  the  enemy.  This  let- 
ter was  sent  by  Col.  Laurens,*  in  a  fast  sailing  priva- 
teer. 

*  John  Laurens,  a  brave  officer  in  the  American  war, 
was  the  son  of  Henry  Laurens,  President  of  Congress,  and 
was  sent  to  England  for  his  education,  lie  joined  the  army 
in  the  beginning  of  1777,  from  which  time  he  was  foremost 
in  danger.  He  was  present  and  distinguished  himself  in 
every  action  of  the  army  under  General  Washington,  and 
was  among  the  first  who  entered  the  British  lines  at  York 
Town.  Early  in  1781,  while  he  held  the  rank  of  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel,  he  was  selected  as  the  most  suitable  person  to 
be  deputed  on  a  special  mission  to  France,  to  solicit  a  loan  of 
money,  and  to  procure  military  stores.  He  arrived  in  March 
and  returned  in  August,  having  been  so  successful  in  the  ex- 
ecution of  his  commission,  that  Congress  passed  a  vote  of 
thanks  for  his  services.  Such  was  his  despatch,  that  in  three 
days  after  he  repaired  to  Philadelphia,  he  finished  his  busi- 
ness with  Congress,  and  immediately  afterward  rejoined  the 
American  army.  On  the  27th  of  August,  1 782,  in  opposing 
a  forcing  party  of  the  British,  near  Combahee  river,  in 
South  Carolina,  he  was  mortally  wounded,  and  he  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-six  years.  His  father,  just  released  from 
imprisonment,  and  happy  in  a  son  of  such  distinction  and 
virtues,  now  witnessed  the  desolation  of  all  his  hopes.  Col. 
Laurens,  uniting  the  talents  of  a  great  officer  with  the  know- 

12 


134  MEMOIRS  OF 


The  Admiral  was  exceedingly  displeased  with  the 
remonstrance,  and  continued  his  voyage  to  Boston. 

Being  abandoned  by  the  fleet,  Gen.  Sullivan  called 
a  council  of  war,  to  determine  on  the  propriety  of 
continuing  the  siege.  But  the  refusal  of  Count  D'Es- 
taing  to  assist  in  the  enterprise,  had  so  disheartened 
the  militia,  that  great  numbers  deserted  ;  so  that  the 
army  was  now  not  more  than  five  thousand  strong. 
The  siege  was  therefore  raised,  and  the  army  took 
post  at  the  north  etid  of  the  Island,  where  they  threw 
up  works  for  defence. 

This  reluctance  to  retire  from  the  Island,  arose  from 
the  hope  which  Gen.  Sullivan  and  his  officers  still 
maintained,  that  the  Count  might  return  to  their  as- 
sistance. To  prevail  on  him  to  do  so,  Gen.  Hancock, 
and  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  proceeded  lo  Boston, 
the  former  to  expedite  the  repairs  of  the  fleet,  and  the 
latter  to  use  his  influence  with  the  Count. 

Meantime,  the  enemy  moved  out  of  Newport,  and 
advanced  to  attack  the  Americans  at  their  works. 
Four  regiments  of  the  regular  army  were  orden  d  lo 
meet  them,  but  this  force  not  being  strong  enough  lo 
check  their  advance,  Gen.  Greene  moved  forward 
with  two  regiments  and  a  brigade  of  militia,  to  their 
support. 

ledge  of  the  scholar,  and  the  engaging  manners  of  the  gen- 
tleman, was  the  glory  of  the  army  and  the  idol  of  his  coun- 
try. Washington,  who  selected  him  as  his  aid,  and  reposed 
jn  him  the  highest  confidence,  declared  that  he  could  dis- 
cover no  fault  in  him  unless  it  was  intrepidity  bordering  up- 
on rashness.  His  abilities  were  exhibited  in  the  legislature 
and  in  the  cabinet,  as  well  as  in  the  field.  He  was  zealous 
for  the  rights  of  humanity,  and,  living  in  a  country  of  slaves, 
contended  that  personal  liberty  was  the  birth  right  of  every 
human  being,  how* ver  di verified  by  country,  colour,  or 
powers  of  mind.  His  insinuating  address  won  the  hearts  of 
all  his  acquaintance,  while  his  sincerity  and  virtue  secured 
their  lasting  esteem. — Mien's  Biog.  Dictionary. 


LA  FAYETTE.  135 


The  action  now  became  warm  and  bloody  ;  the 
Americans  supporting  the  attack  with  great  firmness, 
while  their  veteran  enemies  displayed  that  coolness 
which  characterizes  well  disciplined  troops.  The 
enemy,  however,  finally  gave  way,  and  retreated  to 
their  works. 

The  loss  to  the  Americans  in  this  action,  was  two 
hundred  and  eleven,  in  killed,  wounded  and  taken. 

Gen.  Pigot  stated  his  loss  at  two  hundred  and  sixty. 

On  the  30th,  Gen.  Sullivan  received  information 
from  the  commander  in  chief,  that  the  enemy  would 
probably  be  reinforced  in  a  few  days,  and  that  a  re- 
treat might  become  necessary.  This  Gen.  Sullivan 
effected  the  day  before  the  arrival  of  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton, with  several  ships  of  war,  and  a  large  reinforce- 
ment of  troops.  Had  Sullivan  remained  on  the  Island 
another  day,  his  retreat  would  inevitably  have  been 
cut  off  from  the  continent. 

The  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  having  repaired  to  Bos- 
ton, for  the  purpose  above  mentioned,  was  not  present 
during  the  engagement,  but  by  great  personal  exer- 
tions, he  arrived  just  in  time  to  take  charge  of  the 
rear  guard  at  the  retreat.  In  the  performance  of  this 
service,  he  distinguished  himself  for  the  vigilance  and 
military  skill  which  he  displayed  in  conducting  this 
portion  of  the  army  to  the  continent.  In  a  letter  from 
Congress,  he  is  particularly  mentioned,  and  his  con- 
duct is  approbated,  "  as  well  for  his  great  sacrifices  of 
personal  feeling  to  the  public  good,  in  consenting  for 
the  interests  of  the  United  States,  to  leave  the  army 
when  a  battle  was  to  be  expected,  as  for  the  good  con- 
duct with  which  he  brought  off  the  pickets  and  out 
sentries." 

The  failure  of  this  expedition  was  a  matter  of  bitter 
mortification  and  disappointment  to  Gen.  Sullivan  and 
the  Marquis,  and  indeed  to  all  the  officers  concerned 
in  it.  In  his  public  letters,  Sullivan  spoke  with  great 
confidence  of  his  ultimate  success,  and  Congress   and 


136  MEMOIRS  OF 


the  public  were  waiting  for  the  joyful  news,  (hat  the 
whole  British  army  in  Rhode  Island  had  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  Americans. 

The  conduct  of  Count  D'Estaing  in  abandoning  his 
allies  at  such  a  critical  period,  was  highly  disapproved, 
and  Gen.  Sullivan,  in  one  of  his  orders  to  the  army, 
could  not  avoid  an  intimation  of  his  feelings  on  the 
occasion.  The  Count  was  not  at  all  satisfied  at  seeing 
his  conduct  called  in  question,  and  addressed  a  letter 
to  Congress,  in  which  he  complained  that  he  had  not 
received  adequate  supplies  of  water  and  provisions 
from  the  Americans,  and  insisted  that  his  voyage  to 
Boston  was  absolutely  necessary,  on  account  of  the 
damages  done  to  his  fleet  in  the  late  storm. 

These  reasons  were  not  sufficient  to  satisfy  either 
Congress  or  the  public.  In  Congress,  a  proposition 
was  moved,  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of  the  failure  of 
the  expedition  against  Rhode  Island.  But  policy  in- 
dicated the  impropriety  of  carrying  such  a  proposition 
into  effect. 

In  Boston,  the  public  indignation  was  so  great,  that 
there  were  fears  that  the  means  of  repairing  the  French 
fleet  could  not  be  obtained. 

The  ferment,  indeed,  ran  so  high-hat  it  was  greatly 
to  be  feared  that  the  Count,  if  he  was  informed  in 
what  light  the  public  viewed  him,  would  quit  the 
country,  and  that  America  would  be  deprived  of  any 
present  benefit  from  her  alliance  with  France.  Con- 
gress therefore,  passed  several  resolutions,  interdicting 
the  publication  of  any  thing  which  could  offend  the 
French  officers  ;  and  La  Fayette  used  all  his  influence 
to  soften  the  public  feeling,  and  prevent  the  mischief 
which  he  apprehended  might  arise  from  such  a  state 
of  things.  Washington  was  also  exceedingly  anxious, 
on  the  same  account.  In  a  letter  to  Gen.  Sullivan, 
he  says,  "  the  disagreement  between  the  army  under 
your  command  and  the  fleet  has  give**  me  singular  un- 
easiness.    The  continent  at  large  is  concerned  in  our 


LA  FAYETTE.  137 


cordiality,  and  it  should  be  kept  up  by  all  possible 
means  consistent  with  our  honour  and  policy.  In  our 
conduct  towards  the  French,  we  should  remember  that 
they  are  a  people  old  in  war,  very  strict  in  military 
etiquette,  and  apt  to  take  fire  when  others  scarcely 
seem  warmed.  It  is  of  the  utmost  consequence,  that 
the  soldiers  and  people  should  know  nothing  of  this 
misunderstanding,  or,  if  it  has  reached  them,  that 
means  m  *y  be  used  to  stop  its  progress,  and  prevent  its 
effects." 

Gen.  La  Fayette,  although  he  exerted  himself  to 
counteract  the  ill  effects  which  this  disagreement  be- 
tween the  French  and  American  officers  was  likely  to 
produce  towards  the  American  cause,  was  himself  ex- 
ceedingly hurt  at  the  expressions  of  resentment  which 
fell  from  some  of  the  American  officers.  He  felt  a 
most  unlimited  attachment  to  Washington,  and  a  most 
ardent  desire  to  see  the  cause  of  liberty  triumph  over 
the  arms  of  its  adversaries.  But  France  was  his  coun- 
try, and  Frenchmen  his  brothers  ;  his  noble  and  pat- 
riotic mind  could  not  but  experience  the  anguish  of 
wounded  sensibility,  when  either  were  disapprobated, 
and  particularly  by  Americans.  But  notwithstanding 
these  causes  of  disaffection, — and  a  letter  to  Washing- 
ton shows  that  he  felt  most  keenly  the  remarks  of  some 
of  the  American  officers,  still  he  never  for  a  moment 
permitted  such  circumstances  to  alienate  his  affections 
from  the  cause  he  had  espoused,  or  to  lessen  his  vigi- 
lance in  promoting  its  accomplishment.  So  sensible 
was  Washington  of  the  integrity  and  influence  of  La 
Fayette,  that  although  he  knew  with  how  much  feeling 
he  spoke  of  the  illiberal  remarks  the  Americans  had 
made  on  the  conduct  of  Count  D'E-taing  and  the 
French,  still  La  Fayetie  was  the  man  on  whose  influ- 
ence Washin-ton  cmefl)  depended,  to  conciliate  this 
unhappy  difference. 

Explanations  were  finally  entered  into  on  this  sub- 
ject, between  Washington  and  the  Count,  and  by  a 
12* 


138  MEMOIRS  OF 


conciliatory  course  of  proceedings  on  both  sides,  a 
breach,  which  at  one  time  threatened  very  serious 
consequences,  was  fully  healed. 

In  September,  of  this  year,  a  most  horrid,  and  1o  the 
enemy,  disgraceful  transaction  took  place  near  New 
York. 

Col.  Baylor,  with  his  regiment  of  horse,  was  posted 
near  the  Hackensack,  his  guard  being  placed  at  a 
bridge,  which  crossed  that  river  near  his  post.  The 
enemy  having  obtained  intelligence  of  his  position, 
Gen.  Gray  was  detached  against  him.  Some  of  the 
country  people  who  perfectly  understood  Baylor's 
situation,  and  knew  the  guard,  were  base  enough  to 
act  as  guides  for  the  enemy.  They  eluded  the  patrols, 
and  having  got  into  the  rear  of  the  Serjeant's  guard  at 
the  bridge,  killed  or  took  every  individual  of  them, 
without  alarming  Baylor.  Gray's  party  then  proceed- 
ed to  a  barn,  where  most  of  the  regiment  lay  asleep, 
and  rushing  in  upon  them,  for  a  time  bayonetted  every 
man  they  fell  in  with,  not  in  the  least  regarding  their 
cries  for  quarter.  The  number  of  privates  in  the  barn 
was  one  hundred  and  four,  of  which  sixty-seven  were 
killed,  wounded  or  taken.  The  number  killed  was 
twenty-seven.  One  of  Gen.  Gray's  Captains,  not- 
withstanding he  was  ordered  to  give  no  quarter,  per- 
mitted the  fourth  troop  to  surrender  with  their  lives. 

Col.  Bavlor  was  dangerously  wounded  with  a  bay- 
onet, and  Maj.  Clough  was  mortally  wounded  by  the 
same  instrument. 

The  savage  cruelty  of  the  enemy,  in  thus  murdering 
tbese  poor  fellows  m  their  sleep,  or  when  they  could 
make  no  defence,  and  when  they  begged  for  quarter, 
excited  horror  and  indignation  throughout  the  coun- 
ty- 

At  the  request  of  Congress,  depositions  to  prove  the 

facts  were  taken,  under  the  direction   of  Governour 
Livingston,  of  New  Jersey,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Griffith. 


LA  FAYETTE.  139 


of  Virginia.     These  depostions   were  published  to  the 
world. 

The  fall  of  this  year  is  remembered  with  horror,  on 
account  of  the  many  petty  devastations  and  murders 
the  British  soldiery  committed.  Not  only  public 
stores,  but  the  property  of  individuals,  their  houses, 
stores  and  provisions,  were  burned,  or  otherwise  wan- 
tonly destroyed. 

The  expedition  against  Count  Pulaski*  was  made 
in  October  of  this  year.  This  Nobleman,  by  permis- 
sion of  Congress,  had  raised  an  independent  corps, 
chiefly  composed  of  foreigners,  which  he  commanded 
in  person.  The  Count  was  ordered  to  proceed  from 
Trenton  to  Little  Egg  Harbour,  and  when  within  ten 
miles  of  his  place  of  destination,  a  deserter  carried  to 
the  enemy,  who  were  then  burning  the  stores  at  the 
latter  place,  an  account  of  his  position  and  strength. 
A  plan  was  immediately  formed  to  surprise  him,  which 
was  completely  carried  into  effect,  so  far  as  respected 
his  infantry,  who,  according  to  custom,  were  allowed 
no  quarter,  but  were  put  to  the  bayonet  without  mer- 
cy.    The  Count  and  most  of  his  cavalry,  escaped. 

*  Count  Pulaski,  Brigadier  General  in  the  army  of  the 
United  States,  was  a  Polander  of  high  birth,  who  with  a  few 
men,  in  1771,  carried  off  King  Stanislaus  from  the  middle  of 
his  capital,  though  surrounded  by  a  numerous  body  of  guards 
and  a  Russian  army.  The  King  soon  escaped  and  declared 
Pulaski  an  outlaw.  After  his  arrival  in  this  country,  he 
offered  his  services  to  Congress,  and  was  honoured  with  the 
rank  of  Brigadier  General.  He  discovered  the  greatest  in- 
trepidity in  an  engagement  with  a  party  of  the  British  near 
Charleston,  in  May,  17  79.  In  the  assault  upon  Savannah, 
October  9th,  by  Gen.  Lincoln  and  Count  D'Estaing,  Pulaski 
was  wounded,  at  the  head  of  two  hundred  horsemen,  as  he 
was  galloping  into  the  town,  with  the  intention  of  .charging 
in  the  rear.  He  died  on  the  I  Ith,  and  Congress  resolved, 
that  a  monument  should  be  erected  to  his  memory. — Allen'* 
Biog.  Dictionary. 


140  MEMOIRS  OF 


About  this  time,  Gen.  La  Fayette  received  letters 
from  France,  informing  him  that  the  treaty  of  alliance 
between  that  country  and  the  United  States  had  pro- 
duced much  sensation  in  Europe,  and  that  in  all  pro- 
bability, it  would  be  the  occasion  of  a  war  between 
France  and  England.  His  King  and  country  had  the 
first  claim  on  his  services,  and  he  was  desirous  of  be- 
ing where  he  could  tender  them  the  moment  they 
were  required.  Nor  was  this  all  that  he  could  proba- 
biy  accomplish  by  going  to  France.  He  intended  to 
serve  America  at  the  same  time. 

After  the  absolute  refusal  of  Count  D'Estaing  to 
assist  at  the  expedition  against  Rhode  Island,  it  was 
seen  by  the  American  officers  that  unless  France 
should  send  ships  and  troops  in  greater  number*,  and 
place  them  under  the  direction  of  the  Commander  in 
Chief,  the  late  alliance  with  France  would  be  of  little 
or  no  use  to  the  United  States,  in  prosecuting  the  war. 
The  secret  orders  of  the  King  of  France  to  his  Admi- 
ral in  America,  if  obeyed,  would  in  many  instances  en- 
tirely counteract  the  object  for  which  he  was  sent  out. 
If  his  orders  were  discretionary,  he  might  act  or  not, 
as  he  thought  fit,  and  consequently,  all  disagreeable  or 
hazardous  services  might  be  declined. 

La  Fayette  knew  that  Washington's  opinion  on  this 
subject  coincided  with  his  own  5  and  it  was  his  deter- 
mination, if  the  situation  of  his  country  permitted,  to 
use  all  his  influence  with  the  French  court,  to  obtain 
an  order,  vesting  in  Washington  and  Congress  the  full 
and  entire  direction  of  all  their  forces  destined  to  aid 
the  Americans  in  their  struggle  with  the  British. 

From  motives  of  friendship,  and  for  some  political 
reasons,  Washington  was  desirous  of  retaining  La  Fay- 
ette, as  an  officer  in  the  American  service,  notwith- 
standing his  determination  to  return  to  France.  He 
therefore  requested  that  La  Fayette  would  not  resign 
his  commission,  and  at  the  same  time  directed  a  letter 
to  Congress,  to  signify  that  it  would  give  him  pleasure 


LA  FAYETTE.  HI 


if  that  body  would  grant  the  Marquis  unlimited  leave 
of  absence,  to  return  when  most  convenient  to  himself.* 
Agreeably  to  this  request,  Congress  passed  a  resolu- 
tion, granting  La  Fayette  a  furlough  to  go  to  France, 
and  return  again  whenever  it  best  suited  his  conve- 
nience. 

La  Fayette  took  leave  of  Washington  at  his  quarters 

*  The  following  is  Washington's  letter  to  the  President  of 
Congress  on  that  occasion. 

Head  Quarters,  Oct.  6,  1778. 

Sir, 

This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Major  General  the 
Marquis  de  la  Fayette.  The  generous  motives  which  first 
induced  him  to  cross  ihe  Atlantic,  and  enter  the  army  of  the 
United  States,  are  well  known  in  Congress.  Reasons  equal- 
ly laudable  now  engage  his  return  to  France,  which,  in  her 
present  circumstances,  claims  his  services.  His  eagerness 
to  offer  his  duty  to  his  prince  and  country,  however  great, 
could  not  influence  him  to  quit  the  continent  in  any  stage  o 
an  unfinished  campaign.  He  resolved  to  remain  at  least, 
till  the  close  of  the  present,  and  embraces  this  moment  of 
suspense  to  communicate  his  wishes  to  Congress,  with  a 
view  of  ha  Vic  g  the  necessary  arrangements  made  in  time, 
and  of  being  still  within  reach,  should  any  occasion  offer  of 
distinguishing  himself  in  the  field.  The  Marquis,  nt  the 
same  time,  from  a  desire  of  preserving  a  relation  with  us, 
and  a  hope  of  having  it  yet  in  his  power  to  be  useful  as  an 
American  officer,  solicits  only  a  furlough,  sufficient  for  the 
purpose  above  mentioned.  A  reluctance  to  pari  with  an 
officer,  who  unites  to  all  the  military  fire  of  youth  an  un- 
common maturity  of  judgment,  would  le  d  me  to  prefer  his 
being  absent  on  this  footing,  if  it  depended  on  me.  1  shall 
always  be  happy  to  give  such  a  testimony  of  his  services  as 
his  bravery  and  conduct,  on  all  occasions,  entitle  him  to  ; 
and  I  have  no  doubt  that  Congress  will  add  suitable  expres- 
sions of  their  opinion  of  his  merit,  and  of  their  regret  on  ac- 
count of  his  departure. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
G.    W 


1*42  MEMOIRS  OF 


at  Fishkill,  in  October,  1  778,  and  repaired  to  Philadel- 
phia, the  seat  of  Congress,  there  to  make  official  ar- 
rangements for  his  departure.  Congress  expressed, 
by  their  acts,  the  most  grateful  acknowledgments  for 
his  services,  and  the  lively  interest  they  took  in  his 
welfare  and  happiness.  He  sailed  for  France  towards 
the  close  of  the  year,  still  feeing  the  strongest  attach- 
ment to  America  and  her  cause  ;  and  leaving  behmd 
him  a  name  and  character  which  never  was  mention- 
ed without  sensations  of  gratitude  and  admiration,  by 
any  true  American. 

The  Marquis  arrived  in  Paris  on  the  1  1th  of  Febru- 
ary, where  he  wis  received  by  the  King  and  ministry 
with  great  cordiality  and  distinction. 

His  extraordinary  character,  and  the  high  standing 
of  his  family,  gave  him  great  influence  at  court,  though 
a  youth  of  only  twenty  two.  This  influence  he  used 
for  the  benefit  of  his  adopted  country.  His  intimacy 
with  the  Count  de  Vergennes,*  a  minister  in  whom 
the  king  placed  the  greatest  confidence,  had  a  most 
auspicious  hearing  on  the  interests  of  the  United  States. 
He  explained  to  him  the  real  condition  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, and  their  wants.  He  did  not  withhold  his  opin- 
ion, that  if  France  intended  to  give  effectual  aid  to 
the  United  States,  she  must  send  out  more  considera- 
ble forces  by  sea  and  land,  and  that  the  munitions  of 
war  and  supplies  must  be  furnished  with  a  more  libe- 
ral hand.  Above  all,  he  insisted  on  the  absolute  ne- 
cessity of  placing  the  French  forces  under  the  entire 

*  Ch  Ties  Gravier,  Count  de  Vergennes,  a  French  minis- 
ter of  state,  was  bom  of  a  noble  family  in  Burgundy.  In 
1755,  he  was  sent  ambassador  to  Constantinople,  and  after- 
wards to  Sweden  ;  but  when  Louis  XVI.  came  to  the 
throne,  he  was  recalled,  and  made  minister  of  foregn  affairs. 
He  displayed  the  qualities  of  a  profound  statesman,  particu- 
larly in  die  peace  of  1783.  He  died  in  1787.— Watkin*7 
Biug.  Dictionary. 


LA  FAYETTE.  143 


direction  of  Congress  and  the  Commander  in  Chief. 
Experience  had  shown,  that  forces  designed  to  co  op- 
erate against  the  enemy,  but  with  an  independent  com- 
mand, had  been  of  little  or  no  value  to  the  Americans. 

Count  de  Vergennes  finally  became  convinced  of 
the  truth  of  La  Fayette's  opinions,  and  being  seconded 
in  his  representations  to  the  king,  by  the  late  minister 
of  France  to  the  United  States,  and  the  Count  de  la 
Luzerne,  his  successor,  then  at  Philadelphia,  his  Ma- 
jesty adopted  the  same  opinion,  and  signified  his  plea- 
sure, that  more  considerable  forces  should  be  sent  to 
America.  Orders  were  accordingly  issued  for  the 
equipment  of  a  new  squadron,  to  carry  out  a  more 
numerous  body  of  troops,  to  be  placed  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  American  authorities. 

When  the  determination  of  La  Fayette  to  revisit 
France  was  known  to  Congress,  that  body,  as  a  token 
of  their  gratitude  for  his  services,  and  an  acknowledg- 
ment of  his  bravery,  voted  to  present  him  with  a  sword, 
superbly  ornamented,  with  appropriate  devices. 

Dr.  Franklin,  the  American  Minister  at  Paris,  was 
directed  to  superintend  the  making  of  this  sword,  and 
to  present  it  to  him  in  the  name  of  Congress. 

In  October,  J 779,  he  writes  concerning  it,  to  the 
President  of  Congress,  as  follows  : 

"  The  sword,  ordered  by  Congress  for  the  Marquis 
de  la  Fayette,  being  at  length  finished,  I  sent  it  down 
to  him  at  Havre,  where  he  was  with  the  troops  intend- 
ed for  the  invasion.  I  wrote  him  a  letter  with  it,  and 
received  an  answer;  copies  of  both  which  I  inclose, 
together  with  a  description  of  the  sword,  and  drawings 
of  the  work  upon  it,  which  was  executed  by  the  best 
artists  in  Paris,  and  cost  altogether  two  hundred  gui- 
neas. The  present  has  given  him  great  pleasure,  and 
some  of  the  circumstances  have  been  agreeable  to  the 
nation." 

La  Fayctlc  being  at  Havre,  Dr.  Frauklin  sent  his 


144  MEMOIRS  OF 


son  with  the  sword,  who  had  the  honour  of  presenting 
it  to  him. 

With  the  sword,  Dr.  Franklin  sent  a  letter,  in 
which  he  expresses,  in  the  strongest  terms  the  high 
sense  of  gratitude  and  obligation  which  the  Americans 
felt  towards  him.  To  this,  La  Fayette  returned  an 
answer,  expressing  the  highest  satisfaction  at  this  mark 
of  honour  and  respect  from  America.*     La  Fayette 

*  Letter  from  Dj  Benjamin  Franklin,  to  the  Marquis  de 
la  Fayette,  with  the  sword  presented  by  Congress. 

Passy,  August  24,  1779. 
Sir, 
The  Congress,  sensible  of  your  merit  towards  the  United 
States,  but  unable  adequately  to  reward  it,  determined  to 
pres.  nt  you  with  a  sword,  as  a  small  mark  of  their  grateful 
acknowledgment.  They  directed  it  to  be  ornamented  with 
suitable  devices.  Some  of  the  principal  actions  of  the  war, 
in  which  you  distinguished  yourself  by  your  bravery  and 
conduct,  are  therefore  represented  upon  it.  These,  with  a 
few  emblematic  figures,  all  admirably  well  executed,  make 
its  principal  value.  By  the  help  of  the  exquisite  artists 
France  affords,  I  find  it  easy  to  express  every  thing  but  the 
sense  we  have  of  your  worth,  and  our  obligations  to  you. 
For  this,  figures,  and  even  words,  are  found  insufficient.  I 
therefore  only  add,  that  with  the  most  perfect  esteem,  I  have 
the  nonour  to  be,  &c. 

B.  Franklin. 

{The  Marquis's  Reply.) 

Havre,  August  29,  1779. 
Sir, 
Whatever  expectations  might  have  been  raised  from  the 
sense  of  past  favours,  the  goodness  of  the  United  States  for 
me  has  ever  been  such,  that  on  every  occasion  it  far  surpas- 
ses any  idea  I  could  have  conceived.  A  new  proof  of  that 
flattering  truth  I  find  in  the  noble  present,  which  Congress 
have  been  pleased  to  honour  me  with,  and  which  is  offered 
in  such  a  manner  by  your  Excellency,  as  will  exceed  ny 
thing,  but  the  feelings  of  my  unbounded  gratitude.     Some  of 


LA  FAYETTE.  IM 


i  emained  in  France  about  eighteen  months,  and  having 
done  every  service  for  the  United  States  which  could 
he  effected  by  his  presence- at  court,  and  finding  that 
there  was  no  probability  of  active  employment  in  de 
fence  of  his  own  country,  he  obtained  permission  to 
return  to  America,  and  landed  at  Boston,  in  April, 
1780. 

His  return  was  the  occasion  of  great  joy,  not  only  to 
Washington  and  Congress,  but  to  the  whole  army, 
Washington's  letter  to  Congress,  and  the  resolve  of 
that  body  on  the  occasion,  together  with  La  Fayette's 
reply,  will  serve  to  show  the  mutual  satisfaction  which 
was  expressed  on  his  arrival.* 

the  devices  I  cannot  help  finding  too  honorable  a  raward  for 
those  slight  services,  which,  in  concert  with  my  fellow  sol 
diers,  and  under  the  godlike  American  hero's  orders,  I  had 
the  good  luck  to  render.  The  sight  of  these  actions,  where 
I  was  a  witness  of  American  bravery  and  patriotic  spirit,  1 
will  ever  enjoy  with  that  pleasure  which  becomes  a  heart 
glowing  with  love  for  the  nation,  and  the  most  ardent  zeal 
for  their  glory  and  happiness. 

Assurances  of  gratitude,  which  I  beg  leave  to  present  to 
your  Excellency,  are  much  inadequate  to  my  feelings,  and 
nothing  but  those  sentiments  may  properly  acknowledge 
your  kindness  towards  me.  The  polite  manner  in  which 
Mr.  Franklin  was  pleased  to  deliver  that  inestimable  sword, 
lays  me  under  great  obligations  to  him,  and  demands  my 
particular  thanks. 

With  the  most  perfect  respect,  I  have  the  honour  tobe,&c. 

La  Fayette. 

*  Washington's  letter  to  Congress  on  the  return  of  L;> 
Fayette. 

Head  Quarters,  Morristown,   ) 
May,  13,  1780.  \ 

The  Marquis  La  Fayette  does  me  the  honour  to  take 
charge  of  this  note.     I  am  persuaded  Congress  will  partici 
pate  in  the  joy  I  feel  at  the  return  of  a  gentleman  who  hat 
13 


146  MEMOIRS  OF 


50  signally  distinguished  himself  in  the  service  of  this  coun- 
try ;  who  has  given  so  many  decided  proofs  of  his  attach- 
ment to  its  interests,  and  who  ought  to  be  dear  to  it  by  ev- 
ery motive.  The  warm  friendship  I  have  for  him  conspires 
with  considerations  of  public  utility,  to  afford  me  a  double 
satisfaction  in  his  return.  During  the  time  he  has  been  in 
France,  he  has  uniformly  manifested  the  same  zeal  in  our 
affairs,  which  animated  his  conduct  while  he  was  among  us  ; 
and  has  been  upon  all  occasions,  an  essential  friend  to  A~ 
merica.  He  merits,  and  I  doubt  not  Congress  will  give 
him,  every  mark  of  consideration  and  regard  in  their  power 
I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

Geo.  Washington. 
To  his  Excellency,  the  President  of  Congress. 

RESOLUTION  OF  CONGRESS. 

In  Congress,  May  16,  1730  5 — "  Resolved,  that  Congress 
consider  the  return  of  the  Marquis  La  Fayette  to  America, 
to  resume  his  command  in  the  army,  as  a  fresh  proof  of  the 
distinguished  zeal  and  deserving  attachment,  which  have 
justly  recommended  him  to  the  public  confidence  and  ap- 
plause ;  and  that  they  receive  with  pleasure,  a  tender  of 
further  services  of  so  gallant  and  meritorious  an  officer.''* 


Philadelphia,  May  16,  1780. 
Sir, 

After  so  many  favours  which,  on  every  occasion,  and  par- 
ticularly at  my  obtaining  leave  of  absence,  Congress  were 
pleased  most  graciously  to  bestow  on  me,  I  dare  presume 
myself  entitled  to  impart  to  them  the  private  feelings,  which 
I  now  so  happily  experience. 

In  an  early  period  of  our  noble  contest,  I  gloried  in  the 
name  of  an  American  soldier  ;  and  heartily  enjoyed  the  hon- 
our of  serving  the  United  States.  My  satisfaction  is,  at  this 
long  wished  for  moment,  entirely  complete,  when,  putting 
an  end  to  my  furlough,  I  shall  have  been  able  again  to  join 
my  colours,  under  which  I  hope  for  an  opportunity  of  indul- 
ging the  ardent  zeal,  the  unbounded  gratitude,  the  warm,  and 
I  might  say,  patriotic  love,  by  which  I  am  forever  bound  to 


LA  FAYETTE.  147 


America.  I  beg  you,  Sir,  to  present  Congress  with  a  new 
assurance  of  my  profound  respect,  and  my  gratitude  and  af- 
fectionate sentiments. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

La  Fayette. 
To  His  Excellency,  the  President  of  Congress. 


m  xMEMOIRS  GF 


CHAPTER  V. 

CAMPAIGNS  IN  WHICH  GENERAL  LA  FAYETTE  WAS   PARTICULAJ; 

I.Y    DISTINGUISHED,    FROM    1780  TO  THE    CLOSE 

OF    THE    REVOLUTION. 

The  campaign  of  1779,  although  on  many  occasion- 
d  furnished  evidence  of  great  military  skill  and  brave 
:  v,  on  the  part  of  the  Americans,   did  not,  on  the 
whole,  equal  the  expectations  of  Congress. 

The  arrival  of  Count  D'Estaing,  with  his  squadron 
and  troops,  was  a  circumstance  on  which  the  brilliant 
success  of  the  campaign  had  been  in  a  great  measure 
predicated.  But  we  have  already  seen  that  ^reat  dis 
appointment  and  mortification  were  occasioned  by  his 
Want  of  co-operation  with  the  American  army. 

In  September,  the  Count  arrived  with  his  fleet  from 
the  West  Indies,  on  the  southern  coast  of  the  United 
States,  and  it  was  agreed  on  the  1  lth  of  that  month, 
between  himand  General  Lincoln,  that  their  combined 
forces  should  lay  siege  to  Savannah,  which  was  then 
in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  The  siege  was  carried  on 
with  great  vigour  for  near  thirty  days,  when  the  Count 
declared  that  he  could  devote  no  more  time  lo  this  ob 
ject,  and  that  it  only  remained  to  raise  the  siege,  or 
to  attempt  the  enemy's  works  by  storm.  The  latter 
was  concluded  on,  and  while  a  most  brave  and  blood  y 
attempt  was  made  by  the  allied  army  to  force  the 
works  of  the  enemy,  a  still  more  determined  and  ob 
stinatc  resistance  was  made  to  keep  them.  The  allies 
were  finally  repulsed  with  great  loss,  and  were  obliged 
to  retreat. 

The  loss  of  the  French  in  killed  and  wounded  in 
this  unsuccessful  attack,  was  about  seven  hundred. 
Among  the  killed  was  the  Count  Pulaski,  and  among 
:hc  wounded  D'Estaing  himself.     The  Count  immedi- 


LA  FAYETTE.  143 


ately  re-embarked  his  troops,  and  soon  after  left   the 
American  coast,  to  which  he  never  again  returned. 

The  departure  of  the  French  fleet  produced  a  sud- 
den and  gloomy  change  in  the  prospects  of  the  south- 
ern states.  By  the  assistance  of  Count  D'Estaing,  the 
most  sanguine  expectations  had  been  entertained,  of 
totally  destroying  the  British  power  in  that  quarter, 
but  his  departure  occasioned  the  most  serious  appre- 
hension', that  Charleston,  as  well  as  Savannah,  would 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  The  ill  success  of 
the  American  arms  at  the  south,  had  been  exceedingly 
discouraging.  Gen.  Tarleton  had  surprised  and.  de- 
feated an  American  corps  at  Monk's  corner.  The 
garrison  at  Fort  Moultrie  had  surrendered  prisoners  of 
war.  Gen.  Gates  was  defeated  by  Lord  Cornwallis; 
near  Camden.  Gen.  Sumpter,  after  some  success. 
had  also  been  defeated.  These  disasters  to  the  Amer- 
ican arms,  though  in  some  instances,  they  had  obtain- 
ed brilliant  victories,  together  with  the  Count's  depar- 
ture, had  so  disheartened  the  Americans,  that  in  some 
of  the  states,  the  sanguine  expectations  of  a  successful 
termination  of  the  war,  had  given  way  to  a  state  of 
nearly  hopeless  inaction  ;  and  the  vigour  which  had 
marked  the  doings  of  some  of  the  state  Legislatures, 
was  seen  to  languish  in  proportion  as  hope  and  expec- 
tation failed. 

In  this  depressed  and  torpid  condition  of  the  public 
mind,  La  Fayette  arrived,  with  the  joyful  intelligence 
that  his  Majesty  the  King  of  France,  had  been  pleased 
to  order  a  large  naval  and  land  armament  to  the  Uni- 
ted States,  to  act  in  concert  with  the  Americans  against 
the  British  power.  This  news  gave  a  new  and  vigor- 
ous impulse,  not  only  to  the  state  Legislatures,  but  also 
to  Congress.  Resolutions  of  the  most  determined 
complexion  were  immediately  issued  by  each  of  these 
departments.  A  requsition  was  made  by  Congress  on 
tke  states  from  New  Hampshire  to  Virginia  inclusive, 
for  ten  millions  of  dollars,  and  specie  bills  were  direc- 
13* 


i&9  MEMOIRS  OF 


(ed  to  be  drawn  on  Messrs.  Franklin  and  Jay  at  Paris, 
for  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

At  the  same  time,  a  circular  letter  was  sent  by  Con 
gress  to  each  of  the  state  Legislatures,  calculated    to 
stimulate  them  to  use  great   exertions  to   raise   theii 
quotas  of  the  sum  required,  and  to  make  cvevy  prepa 
ration  for  the  approaching  crisis. 

In  the  month  of  July,  1  780,  intelligence  was  receiv 
ed,  that  the  French  fleet  had  arrived  on  the  American 
coast,  and  had  been  seen  offthe  capes  of  Virginia. 

On  the  1 0th,  Gen.  Heath,  who  had  been  directed  to 
make  preparations  for  their  reception  in  Rhode  Island, 
announced  that  the  fleet  had  appeared  in  sight,  and 
was  standing  into  the  harbour. 

Soon  after  their  arrival,  Lieutenant  General  Count 
de  Rochambeau,  and  the  Chevalier  Ternay,  the  offi- 
cers commanding  the  land  and  naval  forces  of  France 
at  Newport,  transmitted  to  General  Washington  an 
account  of  their  arrival,  and  of  their  strength  and  or- 
ders. 

A  copy  of  the  order  from  the  French  government  to 
Rochambeau,  was  inclosed  to  Washington.  By  this 
order,  the  Count  and  his  whole  armament  was  placed 
entirely  under  the  direction  of  the  Commander  in 
Chief.  This  was  the  very  state  of  things  which  had 
been  so  much  desired,  and  which  La  Fayette  had 
exerted  himself  so  strenuously  to  accomplish  while  in 
Paris.* 

*  The  following  letter  to  Mr.  Samuel  Adams,  dated  Mor- 
ristown,  May  30  1780,  will  show  how  deep  an    interest   he 
took  in  the  affairs  of  America. 
Dear    Sir, 

Had  I  known  that  I  would  have  the  pleasure  of  meeting 
you  at  Boston,  and  holding  confidential  conversations  with 
you  oo  public  and  private  matters,  I  should  have  antici- 
pated the  uneasiness  I  was  put  under  by  the  obligation  of 
secrecy,  or  previously  obtained  the  leave  of  breaking  that 


LA  FAYETTE.  15  1 


The  joy  at  the  news  of  Rochamheau's  arrival,  with 
the  additional  intelligence,  that  the   French   troops 

so  strict  law  in  your  favour.  Now,  my  dear  sir,  that  Con 
gress  have  set  my  tongue  at  liberty,  at  least  for  such  men  as 
Mr.  Samuel  Adams,  I  will,  in  referring  you  to  a  public  let- 
ter from  the  committee  of  Congress,  indulge  my  private 
feelings  in  imparting  to  you  some  confidential  ideas  of  min* 
on  our  present  situation. 

x\s  momentary  visits  did  not  entirely  fulfil  the  purpose  of 
freeing  America.  France  thought  they  would  render  them- 
selves more  useful,  if  a  naval  and  land  force  were  sent  for 
co-operating  witli  our  troops,  and  by  a  longer  stay  on  the 
coast  of  the  continent,  would  give  to  the  states  a  fair  oppor- 
tunity of  employing  all  their  resources.  The  expectations 
are  very  sanguine  at  Versailles,  and  ought  to  be  morev  so, 
when  that  letter  shall  be  received,  by  which  you  know,  Con- 
gress engaged  to  furnish  on  their  part,  five  and  twenty  thou- 
sand Continental  troops,  that  are  to  take  the  field  by  the 
beginning  of  the  spring. 

On  the  other  hand,  my  dear  sir,  all  Europe  have  their 
eyes  upon  us.  They  know  nothing  of  us,  but  by  our  own 
reports,  and  our  first  exertions,  which  have  heightened  their 
esteem,  and  by  the  accounts  of  the  enemy,  or  those  of  some 
dissatisfied  persons,  which  were  calculated  to  give  them  a 
quite  different  opinion  :  so  that,  to  fix  their  own  minds,  all 
the  nations  are  now  looking  at  us  ;  and  the  consequence  of 
\m erica,  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  as  well  as  its  liberty  and 
happiness,  must  depend  upon  the  ensuing  campaign. 

The  succour  sent  by  France,  I  thought  to  be  very  impor- 
tant when  at  Versailles  :  now  that  [  am  on  the  spot,  I  know 
it  was  necessary  ;  and  if  proper  measures  are  taken,  I  shall 
more  heartily  than  ever,  enjoy  the  happiness  I  had  of  being 
somewhat  concerned  in  the  operation.  But  if  things  stood 
as  they  now  do,  I  confess  that  whether  as  an  American  sol- 
dier, whether  as  a  private  man  that  said  a  great  deal,  and 
knows  Congress  have  ordered  much  more  to  be  said  on  the 
future  exertions  of  America, — who  took  a  particular  delight 
iu  praising  the  patriotic  spirit  of  the  United  States,  I  would 
feel  most  unhappy  and  distressed,  were  I  to  tell  the  people 
that  are  coming  over,  full  of  ardour  and  sanguine  hopes,  that 


152  MEMOIRS  OF 


were  auxiliaries,  and  under  the  direction  of  the  Amer 
ican  authorities,  was  unbounded. 


we  have  no  army  to  co-operate  with  them,  no  provisions  to 
feed  the  few  soldiers  that  are  left,  &c.  &c.  But  I  hope,  nu- 
clear sir,  it  will  not  be  the  case  ;  and  more  particularly  de- 
pending upon  the  exertions  of  your  state,  I  know  Mr.  Samu- 
el Adams'  influence  and  popularity,  will  be  as  heretofore 
•employed,  in  the  salvation  and  glory  of  America. 

If  proper  measures  are  taken  for  provisions,  if  the  states 
do  immediately  fill  up  the  continental  battalions  by  good 
drafts,  which  is  by  far  the  best  way ;  if  all  the  propositions 
of  the  committee  are  speedily  complied  with,  I  have  no 
doubt,  but  that  the  present  campaign  will  be  a  glorious,  de- 
cisive one,  and  that  we  may  hope  for  every  thing  that  is 
good  :  if,  on  the  contrary,  time  be  lost,  consider  what  unhap- 
py and  dishonorable  consequences  would  ensue  from  our  in- 
ability to  a  co-operation. 

Your  state  began  the  noble  contest,  it  may  be  gloriously 
ended  by  your  state's  exertions,  and  the  example  they  will 
once  more  set  to  the  whole  continent.  The  reception  I  met 
with  at  Boston,  binds  me  to  it  by  the  strongest  ties  of  a 
grateful  affection.  The  joy  of  my  heart  will  be  to  find  my- 
self concerned  in  an  expedition,  that  may  afford  peculiar  ad- 
vantages to  them  ;  and  I  earnestly  hope  it  will  be  the  case, 
in  the  course  of  this  (if  proper  measures  are  taken)  glorious 
campaign. 

I  flatter,  myself  you  will  be  yet  in  Boston,  and  upon  this 
expectation  I  very  much  depend,  for  the  success  of  the  com- 
bined expeditions.  Such  a  crisis  is  worth  your  being  whol- 
ly engaged  in  it,  as  it  will  be  glorious,  important  ;  and  1  may 
say  it  now,  because  necessary  for  the  support  of  the  great 
cause  in  which  you  acted  so  early  and  decisive  a  part.  What 
you  mentioned  confidentially  to  me  at  Boston,  1  have  duly 
noticed,  and  shall  ever  remember  with  the  attention  of  a 
friend.  For  fulfilling  the  same  purpose,  I  wish  we  may  be 
under  particular  obligations  to  you  on  this  occasion. 

Give  me  leave,  my  dear  sir,  to  suggest  to  you  an  idea 
which  I  have  lately  thought  of  5  all  the  continental  officers 
labor  under  the  most  shameful  want  of  clothing.  When  I 
say  shameful,  it  is  not  to  them,  who  have  no  money  to  buy 


LA  FAYETThX 


The  warmest  professions  of  reciprocal  esteem  and 
confidence,  passed  between  the  two  commanders  and 
their  oflicers.  Washington  recommended  to  his  offi- 
cers, on  this  occasion,  to  engraft  on  the  American 
cockade,  which  was  black,  a  relief  of  white,  that  being 
the  colour  of  the  French  cockade.  This  symbol  ot 
friendship  and  affection  in  the  American  soldiers  for 
their  allies,  was  received  as  quite  complimentary  b\ 
the  French,  and  undoubtedly  had  its  effect  in  produ 
cing  cordial  feelings  between  the  two  armies. 

The  arrival  of  the  French  fleet,  although  so  late  as 
the  month  of  July,  was  still  too  early  for  the  immedi 
ate  co-operation  of  the  American  army. 

The  difficulties  which  Congress  had  found  in  rais 
ing  men  and  money,  sufficient  to  carry  the  plans  of  tht 
Commander  in  Chief  into  complete  execution,  had  a! 
ways  been  a  subject  of  disappointment  and  regret. 

The  preparations  for  the  campaign  of  this  year,  had 
been  made  with  uncommon  perseverance  ;  but  as  the 
exertions  did  not  commence  with  any  considerable  vi 
gor,  until  it  was  publicly  known  that  effective  assist- 
ance was  expected  from  France,  the  season  had  so  far 
advanced,  before  sufficient  levies  could  be  completed, 
that  it  was  a  matter  of  consideration,  whether  tin 
plans  which  Washington  had  digested,  should  be  at 
tempted  immediately,  or  deferred  till  the  next  season. 

After  some  hesitation,  however,  it  was  decided  thai 
immediate  preparations  should  be   made   for   the  co 

-—no  cloth  to  be  bought.  You  can  conceive  what  may  be 
theirs  and  our  feelings,  when  they  will  he  with  the  French 
General  and  other  officers  ;  and  from  a  general  idea  of  man- 
kind and  human  honor,  it  is  easily  seen  how  much  we  should 
exert  ourselves  to  put  the  officers  of  the  army  in  a  more  de- 
cent situation. 

I  beg,  my  dear  sir,  you  will  present  my  respects  to  you: 
family,  and  believe  me,  most  affectionately, 

Yours.  La  Fayfttf, 


154  MEMOIRS  OF 


operative  action  of  the  Americans,  both  by  sea  and 
land. 

Gen.  La  Fayette  was  authorised  to  explain  the  plans 
of  the  campaign  to  Count  Rochambeau,  and  every 
thing  seemed  for  a  short  time,  to  indicate  the  success 
of  the  allied  army.  At  the  same  time,  however,  it 
was  well  known,  that  the  success  of  the  whole  plan 
depended  en  the  superiority  of  fhe  French  fleet  over 
that  of  the  enemy.  But  the  arrival  of  a  reinforcement 
of  battle  ships  from  England,  entirely  deranged  the 
plan  of  operations,  by  giving  the  enemy  the  greatest 
force  by  sea,  and  the  arrangements  for  the  campaign 
were,  with  the  most  bitter  chagrin  and  reluctance, 
abandoned. 

It  was  at  this  period  of  disappointment  and  vexa- 
tion, that  Benedict  Arnold  attempted  to  sell  his  coun- 
try to  the  enemy.  "  While,"  says  Marshall,  "  the 
public  mind  was  anticipating  the  great  events  expect- 
ed from  the  combined  arms  of  France  and  America  : 
while  the  army  was  assailed  by  every  species  of  dis- 
tress, and  almost  compelled  to  disperse  by  the  want 
of  food  ;  while  Gen.  Washington  was  struggling  with 
difficulties,  and  sustaining  the  mortification  of  seeing 
every  prospect  he  had  laboured  to  realize,  successive- 
ly dissipating  :  treason  found  its  way  into  the  Ameri- 
can camp,  and  was  machinating  the  ruin  of  the  Ameri- 
can cause." 

The  discovery  of  Arnold's  treason  was  made  just  in 
time  to  prevent  his  giving  up  West  Point,  the  most  im- 
portant fortress,  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

Soon  after  his  defection,  he  was  detached  by  Lord 
Cornwallis  to  Virginia,  with  a  party  of  about  six  hun- 
dred men.  Here  he  plundered  the  inhabitants,  burnt 
their  dwellings,  and  carried  devastation  and  horror 
wherever  he  went. 

In  January,  1781,  La  Fayette  was  ordered  to  march 
against  him,  with  a  division,  consisting  of  twelve  hun- 
dred regular  troops.     Letters  were  despatched  by  the, 


LA  FAYETTE.  155 


( 'ommander  in  Chief  to  Baron  Steuben,  and  Gover- 
nour  Jefferson,  requiring  (heir  immediate  preparation 
to  aid  Gen.  La  Fayette  in  his  expedition. 

Meantime,  Arnold  had  reinforced  his  army,  and  bad 
taken  a  strong  post,  where  he  threw  up  works  of  con- 
siderable strength.  Washington  being  informed  of 
these  circumstances,  immediately  repaired  in  person 
to  Newport,  where  in  consultation  with  Rochambeau, 
it  was  agreed,  that  the  French  fleet,  and  a  part  of  the 
army,  should  embark  to  the  Chesapeake,  to  co-operate 
with  La  Fayette  against  Arnold.  But  an  engagement 
with  the  British  fleet  on  the  voyage,  so  retarded  the 
progress  of  the  expedition,  that  Arnold  escaped  a  fate 
so  well  merited  by  his  treason. 

At  this  time,  the  enemy  in  Virginia  were  reinforced 
by  two  thousand  regular  troops,  which  gave  them  a 
Miperiority  over  any  force  which  the  Americans  could 
bring  against  them. 

Under  these  circumstances,  the  defence  of  Virginia 
was  committed  to  La  Fayette.  "  The  troops  under 
his  command,  had  been  taken  chiefly  from  the  eastern 
regiments,  and  had  imbibed  strong  prejudices  against 
a  southern  climate.  The  service  on  which  they  were 
detached,  was  not  expected  to  be  of  long  duration,  and 
they  were  consequently  unprepared  foracampaign  in 
a  department  where  no  relief  could  be  obtained  for 
their  most  pressing  wants." 

",  From  these  causes,  desertions  became  so  fre- 
quent as  to  threaten  the  dissolution  of  the  corps." 

;-  This  unpromising  state  of  things  was  completely 
changed  by  a  happy  expedient  adopted  by  La  Fayette. 
Appealing  to  the  generous  and  honourable  principles 
of  his  soldiers, — principles  on  which  his  own  bosom 
taught  him  to  rely,  he  proclaimed,  in  orders,  that  he 
was  about  to  enter  on  an  enterprise  of  great  danger, 
and  difficulty,  on  which  he  persuaded  himself,  that  his 
soldiers  would  not  abandon  him.  If,  however,  any 
individual  of  the  detachment  was  unwilling  to  accom- 


m  MEMOIRS  OF 


pany  him,  he  was  invited  to  apply  ior  a  permit  to  re- 
turn to  his  regiment,  which  should  most  assuredly  be 
granted. 

Ci  This  measure  had  the  desired  effect.  The  dis- 
grace of  applying  to  be  excused  from  a  service  full  of 
hazard,  was  too  great  to  be  ventured  ;  and  a  total  stop 
was  immediately  put  to  desertion.  To  keep  up  the 
good  dispositions  of  the  moment,  this  ardent  young 
Nobleman,  who  was  as  unmindful  of  fortune  as  he  was 
ambitious  of  fame,  borrowed  from  the  merchants  of 
Baltimore,  on  his  private  credit,  a  sum  of  money  suffi- 
cient to  purchase  shoes,  linen,  spirits,  and  other  arti- 
cles of  immediate  necessity  for  the  detachment." 

"  Having  made  these  preparations  for  the  campaign, 
La  Fayette  marched  with  the  utmost  celerity  to  the 
defence  of  Virginia.  That  state  was  in  great  need  of 
assistance.  The  enemy  had  penetrated  deep  into  her 
bosom,  and  was  practising  on  its  inhabitants  those  ex- 
cesses, which  will  ever  be  experienced  by  a  country 
unable  to  repel  invasion."* 

Gen.  La  Fayette  arrived  in  Richmond,  Justin  time 
to  save  that  place,  and  a  large  amount  of  military 
stores  which  had  been  collected  there,  from  the  hands 
of  the  enemy. 

At  this  period,  Lord  Cornwallis  arrived  at  Peters- 
burgh,  and  took  the  command  of  the  whole  royal  army 
in  Virginia  ;  and  finding  himself  at  the  head  of  a  force 
which  the  Americans  could  not  oppose,  he  immediate- 
ly determined  on  a  course  of  vigorous  offensive  oper- 
ations. His  field  force  amounted  to  eight  thousand 
effective  men,  including  four  hundred  dragoons,  and 
eight  hundred  mounted  infantry. 

La  Fayette's  force  in  camp,  near  Richmond,  did 
not  exceed  four  thousand  men,  and  of  these,  three 
fourths  were  militia.     He  was  however,   occasionally 


Marshall. 


LA  FAYETTE.  157 


reinforced  by  the  state  militia,  brought  into  the  field 
by  the  unceasing  efforts  of  Governour  Jefferson. 

La  Fayette  put  this  force  into  the  best  situation 
in  his  power*  He  selected  seven  hundred  and  fifty  of 
the  best  marksmen  among  his  militia,  and  dividing 
them  into  three  corps  of  light  infantry,  he  placed  them 
severally  under  the  orders  of  Majors  Call,  Willis,  and 
Dick,  officers  of  the  regular  army.  This  was  pleas- 
ing to  the  soldiers,  who,  seeing,  the  perils  before  them, 
were  glad  to  be  under  the  command  of  officers  of 
more  experience  and  skill,  than  those  of  the  militia. 

On  the  24th  of  May,  Lord  Cornwallis  began  to 
move  his  army,  and  crossed  the  James  river.  La 
Fayette,  who  was  well  informed  of  his  movements, 
broke  up  his  position  near  Richmond,  and  fell  back 
towards  Fredericksburgh.  This  he  did  for  the  dou- 
ble'purpose  of  approximating  Gen.  Wayne,  who  was 
on  his  march  from  the  north,  and  of  covering  the  man- 
ufactory of  arms  in  the  vicinity  of  Falmouth.  Corn- 
wallis followed,  with  a  determination  of  bringing  him 
to  an  engagement  before  the  arrival  of  Wayne. 

But  La  Fayette,  knowing  that  his  adversary  had 
double  his  number  of  veteran  troops,  was  in  no  way 
inclined  to  be  brought  to  action.  He  therefore  con- 
tinued his  retreat,  and  having  passed  the  southern 
branch  of  York  river,  he  posted  his  army  near  its 
bank. 

In  this  position,  he  was  overtaken  by  a  detachment 
of  light  troops  under  Col.  Tarleton,  whose  sudden  ap- 
pearance compelled  him  to  form  his  army  for  battle. 
No  attack  was,  however,  made,  and  it  was  afterwards 
discovered,  that  this  was  only  a  large  patroling  party. 

At  this  period,  CornwaMis  thought  himself  sure  of 
his  victim.  In  a  letter,  which  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  Americans,  he  says,  "  the  boy  cannot  escape  me  ;" 
and  it  was,  perhaps,  this  certainty  in  his  Lordship's 
mind,  which  accounts  for  his  not  pressing  La  Fayette's 
retreat  with  more  vigour,  and  bringing  him  to  action, 

14 


158  MEMOIRS  OF 


La  Fayette  was  often  not  more  than  twenty  miles  from 
the  British  General,  who  had  at  his  disposal,  at  least 
one  thousand  horse  and  mounted  infantry.  Putting 
one  soldier  behind  each  of  those  mounted,  he  could 
by  an  easy  exertion,  in  any  twenty-four  hours,  have 
placed  two  thousand  veterans,  conducted  by  skilful 
and  experienced  officers,  close  to  his  enemy  ;  whose 
attempt  to  retreat  would  have  been  so  embarrassed 
and  delayed,  as  to  have  given  time  for  the  main  body 
to  have  approached.  Then  La  Fayette's  destruction 
would  have  been  as  easy  as  inevitable.  Why  this 
plain  mode  of  operation  was  overlooked,  and  neglect- 
ed by  Cornwallis,  did  then  and  does  still  excite  the 
surprise  of  all  intelligent  soldiers  conversant  with  that 
transaction."* 

La  Fayette  did  not  intermit  his  retreat,  until  he  had 
crossed  the  Rapidan,  the  southern  branch  of  the  Rap- 
pahannoc.  Here,  Gen.  Wayne  joined  him  with  eight 
or  nine  hundred  men.  Lord  Cornwallis,  finding  that 
his  enemy's  retreat  was  more  rapid  than  his  own  pur- 
suit, gave  up  the  chace,  and  determined  to  employ  his 
force  in  committing  to  the  flames  the  remaining  re- 
sources of  the  state,  which  had  already  been  greatly 
exhausted  by  the  plunder  and  fire  of  his  army. 

"  To  this  decision,"  says  Lee,  "  he  seems  to  have 
been  led  by  his  conviction  that  Wayne,  united  to  La 
Fayette,  diminished  so  little  the  relative  size  of  himself 
and  his  antagonist,  as  to  forbid  his  inattention  to  other 
objects,  deemed  by  himself  important,  while  it  would 
increase  the  chance  of  striking  his  meditated  blow 
against  both. 

"  Cornwallis  therefore,  did  not  miscalculate,  when 
he  presumed  that  the  junction  of  Wayne  would  in- 
crease, rather  than  diminish,  his  chance  of  bringing 
his  antagonist  to  action.  Had  the  British  general 
pressed  forward,  determined  never  to  stop  until  he 


*  Lee's  Memoirs. 


LA  FAYETTE.  159 


forced  his  enemy  to  the  last  appeal,  La  Fayette  or 
Wayne  must  have  fallen,  if  severed  from  each  other ; 
and  if  united,  both  might  have  been  destroyed.  Had 
the  destruction  of  La  Fayette  been  effected,  Lord 
Cornwallis  had  only  to  take  post  on  the  heights  above 
Stafford  court  house,  with  his  left  resting  on  the  vil- 
lage of  Falmouth,  to  have  secured  all  the  plentiful 
country  in  his  rear,  between  the  two  rivers,  as  well  as 
that  on  the  southern  margin  of  the  Rappahannoc  ;  and 
to  have  established  a  convenient  communication  with 
such  portion  of  his  fleet,  as  he  might  require  to  be^ent 
up  the  Potomac."* 

But  the  vigilance  of  the  young  General,  in  observing 
the  designs  of  his  enemy,  and  his  activity  in  eluding 
the  deep  laid  stratagems  of  his  experienced  antagonist, 
did  not  permit  his  Lordship  to  enjoy  such  a  prospect. 

Having  abandoned  the  pursuit  of  La  Fayette,  the 
British  commander  retired  first  to  Richmond,  and  af- 
terwards to  Williamsburg.! 

The  Marquis  followed  with  cautious  circumspec- 
tion, taking  care  to  keep  the  command  of  the  upper 
country,  and  to  avoid  a  general  engagement.  On  the 
18th  of  June,  while  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Rich- 
mond, he  was  joined  by  Baron  Steuben,  with  four  or 
five  hundred  new  levies.  He  now  had  two  thousand 
regular  troops,  and  although  his  policy  was  to  avoid  a 
general  engagement,  he  was  in  a  condition  to  harass 
the  rear  of  the  enemy  by  his  light  troops,  prevent  their 
foraging,  and  impede  their  march. 

On  his  way,  the  policy  of  his  Lordship  to  destroy 
property,  both  private  and  public,  was  continually 
pursued,  and  great  depredations  were  every  where 
committed.  Tobacco,  especially,  was  set  on  fire 
wherever  it  was  found.  About  the  middle  of  June, 
the  British  army  left  Williamsburg,  and  encamped  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  cover  a  ford  leading  to  the  island 

*  Lee.  t  Marshall. 


160  MEMOIRS  OF 


of  Jamestown.  On  the  next  morning,  La  Fayette, 
ever  watchful  of  the  motions  of  his  adversary,  changed 
his  position,  and  pushed  his  best  troops  within  nine 
miles  of  the  British  camp,  with  the  intention  of  attack- 
ing their  rear,  when  the  main  body  should  have  passed 
over  into  Jamestown. 

His  vigilant  enemy,  suspecting  this  design,  deter- 
mined to  effect  by  stratagem,  what  he  had  found  nei- 
ther pursuit  nor  retreat  could  accomplish.  With  this 
view  he  drew  up  his  army  on  the  main  land,  as  com- 
pactly as  possible,  and  at  the  same  time,  arranged  a 
few  troops  on  the  island  so  as  to  appear  like,  an  army. 
La  Fayette's  reconnoitering  parties  were  completely 
deceived  by  this  display ;  and  all  his  intelligence  con- 
curred in  the  information  that  the  main  body  of  the 
British  army  had  passed  over  into  Jamestown  in  the 
night.  Not  doubting  the  truth  of  what  he  heard,  La 
Fayette  now  began  to  prepare  for  the  execution  of  his 
plan.  He  detached  some  riflemen  and  militia  to  ha- 
rass the  enemy's  out-posts,  while  he  advanced  at  the 
head  of  his  regular  troops,  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of 
their  rear, 

As  he  came  near  the  enemy,  every  appearance  was 
calculated  to  confirm  the  information  he  had  received. 
The  picquets  of  the  enemy  were  driven  in  by  his  ad- 
vanced parties  without  much  resistance.  But  in  a 
matter  of  so  great  importance,  the  wary  La  Fayette 
determined  to  trust  his  own  eyes  only,  and  moved  for- 
ward to  reconnoitre  the  camp  himself,  and  to  judge  of 
its  strength  by  his  own  observation. 

He  soon  perceived  that  the  force  of  the  enemy  was 
much  more  considerable  than  had  been  apprehended, 
and  that  the  stratagem  of  his  veteran  foe  had  already 
brought  him  much  too  near  his  more  powerful  army. 
He  hastened  back  to  warn  his  officers  of  the  danger, 
but  found  Wayne,  who  always  chose  to  decide  matters 
with  the  sword,  closely  engaged.  Wayne  had  discov- 
ered  a  piece  of  artillery  which  was  but  weakly  guard 


LA  FAYETTE.  161 


ed,  and  which  was  probably  left  in  that  situation  as  a 
decoy.  This  he  determined  to  seize,  and  Major  Gal- 
van  was  advanced  for  that  purpose.  At  this  moment, 
he  discovered  the  whole  British  army,  arranged  in 
battle  array,  marching  out  against  him.  It  was  too 
late  to  retreat,  and,  with  his  characteristic  boldness, 
Wayne,  with  a  rapid  advance,  made  a  gallant  charge 
on  the  enemy's  line.  A  sharp  conflict  ensued,  which, 
for  some  time,  was  supported  with  great  spirit.  La 
Fayette  now  came  up,  and  finding  Wayne's  party  out 
flanked  both  on  the  right  and  left,  ordered  him  to  re- 
treat. This  was  done  in  time  to  save  his  party,  and 
he  fell  back  to  the  line  of  regular  troops  about  half  a 
mile  in  his  rear.  The  American  army  then  retreated 
under  cover  of  night  through  a  difficult  ravine,  aad 
fell  back  six  miles,  when,  rinding  that  the  enemy  were 
not  in  pursuit,  they  encamped  for  the  night. 

The  Americans  lost  in  this  action,  in  killed,  wound- 
ed and  taken  prisoners,  one  hundred  and  eighteen, 
ten  of  whom  were  officers.  The  enemy's  loss  was 
much  less,  being  only  five  officers  and  seventy  pri- 
vates. 

Most  fortunately  for  La  Fayette,  Lord  Cornwallis 
did  not  improve  the  advantage  he  had  gained.  Sus- 
pecting his  march  through  the  defile  to  be  a  stratagem 
of  the  American  General  to  draw  him  into  an  ambus- 
cade, and  at  the  same  time  considering  the  boldness  of 
the  whole  measure  as  indicative  of  a  great  force,  his 
Lordship  supposed  the  assailing  army  to  be  much 
stronger  than  it  really  was,  and  therefore  would  per- 
mit of  no  pursuit.  In  the  course  of  the  night,  therefore, 
he  crossed  to  Jamestown,  and  soon  afterwards  pro- 
ceeded to  Portsmouth. 

"  Thus,"  says  Col.  Lee,  "  concluded  the  summer 
campaign  of  Lord  Cornwallis  in  Virginia.  For  eight 
or  nine  weeks,  he  had  been  engaged  in  the  most  active 
movements,  at  the  head  of  an  army  completely  fitted 
for  the  arduous  scenes  of  war,  warmly  attached  to  its 
14* 


162  MEMOIRS  OF 


General,  proud  in  its  knowledge  of  its  own  ability,  and 
ready  to  encounter  every  danger  and  difficulty  to  give 
success  to  its  operations.  The  inferiority  of  La  Fay- 
ette in  number,  in  quality,  in  cavalry,  in  arms  and 
equipments,  have  been  often  recurred  to,  and  cannot 
be  doubted," 

Lord  Corn wallis  was  the  same  General  who  had  at- 
tacked Gates  at  the  head  of  a  very  superior  army,  and 
who  afterwards  attacked  Greene,  though  nearly  double 
his  number.  In  both  instances,  he  risked  his  own  de- 
struction, and  although  victorious  in  the  issue,  was, 
upon  both  occasions,  on  the  threshold  of  ruin. 

Yet  straage,  when  the  primary  object  of  the  British 
General  was  the  annihilation  of  La  Fayette's  army,  he 
never  effected  it,  even  in  part,  though  manoeuvering 
for  several  weeks  in  his  face,  in  an  open  country,  and 
remote  from  every  kind  of  support,  except  the  occa- 
sional aid  of  the  militia. 

Lord  Cornwalli?  was  considered  among  the  bravest, 
and  was  certainly  one  of  the  most  experienced,  of  the 
British  Generals  ever  sent  to  America.  His  omission 
to  attack  the  American  army,  under  almost  any  cir- 
cumstance, has  been  considered  unaccountable.  But 
a  re-consideration  of  the  history  of  this  campaign  will 
show  the  probable  reasons  why  he  did  not.  Feeling 
himself  greatly  superior,  as  a  General,  to  the  youth 
who  opposed  him,  he,  at  the  opening  of  the  campaign, 
considered  the  American  army  as  certainly  within  his 
power,  and  he  only  waited  a  convenient  time  and  place 
to  effect  its  destruction.  The  junction  of  Wayne  with 
La  Fayette,  although  it  did  not  alter  the  relative  size 
of  the  two  armies  so  as  to  make  a  battle,  on  the  part  of 
Cornwallis,  a  hazardous  measure,  yet  the  dispropor- 
tion being  le^s,  it  required  a  correspondent  advantage 
to  make  his  success  as  certain  as  before.  This  cir- 
cumstance seems  to  have  had  much  weight  with  the 
British  commander.  His  great  exertions  to  prevent 
this  junction,  and  his  willingness  to  retreat  soon  after, 


LA  FAYETTE.  106 


shows  that,  although  he  often  invited  La  Fa)ette  to  a 
general  engagement,  he  always  had  respect  to  his  own 
position,  as  well  as  to  that  of  bu  enemy,  and  was  not 
unwilling  to  come  to  action  under  any  circumstance  as 
before. 

But  the  consummate  generalship  of  La  Fayette  du- 
ring this  whole  campaign,  was  a  subject  of  great  praise, 
not  only  from  his  comrades  in  arms,  and  the  nation, 
but  even  from  the  enemy  whom  he  opposed. 

The  rapidity  of  his  retreat,  his  sagacity  and  vigi- 
lance, displayed  in  penetrating  and  counteracting  the 
designs  of  his  more  powerful  adversary,  and  the  adroit- 
ness with  which  he  extricated  his  army  from  the  trap 
which  Cornwallis  had  laid,  near  Jamestown,  displayed 
the  experienced  veteran  rather  than  the  youthful  Mar- 
quis. 

The  American  General  had  great  difficulties  to  sur- 
mount, as  well  as  to  guard  against  his  formidable  foe, 
while  pressing  him  on  his  retreat.  Wayne  directing 
his  most  efficient  aid,  was  far  on  the  right  ;  and  the 
Baron  Steuben,*  with  the  Virginian  levies,  was  as  far 

*  Frederick  William  Augustus  Baron  de  Steuben;  knight 
of  the  order  of  fidelity  in  Germany,  and  Major  General  in 
the  army  of  the  United  States.  This  highly  distinguished 
personage  was  a  Prussian  officer,  aid  de  camp  to  the  great 
Frederick,  and  held  the  rank  of  Lieutenant  General  in  the 
army  of  that  consummate  commander.  He  arrived  in  A- 
merica,  December,  1777,  and  presented  himself,  with  his 
credentials  to  Congress,  proffering  his  services  in  our  army, 
without  any  claim  to  rank,  and  requested  permission  only  to 
render  such  assistance  as  might  be  in  his  power,  in  the  cha- 
racter of  a  volunteer.  In  thus  devoting  himself  to  our  cause, 
he  made  an  immense  sacrifice,  by  relinquishing  his  honora- 
ble station  and  emoluments  in  Europe.  Congress  voted  him 
their  thanks  for  his  zeal,  and  the  disinterested  tender  of  his 
services,  and  he  joined  the  main  army,  under  Gen.  Washing- 
ton, at  Valley  Forge.  His  qualifications  for  a  teacher  of  the 
system  of  military  tactics  were  soon  manifested  ;  having  for 


64<  MEMOIRS  OF 


on  the  left.  The  public  stores  were  deposited  in  sev- 
eral magazines  ;  and  the  great  body  of  the  inhabitants 

many  years  practised  on  the  system  which  the  King  of  Prus- 
sia had  introduced  into  his  own  army.  In  May,  1778,  by 
the  strong  recommendation  of  the  Commander  in  Chief, 
Congress  appointed  him  Inspector  General,  with  the  rank 
of  Major  General.  He  commenced  his  duties  as  Inspector, 
beginning  with  the  officers,  who  were  formed  into  separate 
bodies,  frequently  exercised,  and  instructed  in  the  various 
movements  and  evolutions,  when  manceuvering  battalions, 
brigades,  or  divisions  of  the  army.  He  exerted  all  his 
powers  for  the  establishment  o;'a  regular  sys'em  of  discipline, 
economy  and  uniformity  among  our  heterogeneous  bodies  of 
soldiers.  In  the  discharge  of  this  duty,  and  to  effect  his  fa- 
vorite object,  he  encountered  obstacles  to  which  a  less  zeal- 
ous spirit  would  have  yielded  as  insurmountable.  By  his 
superior  talents,  indefatigable  industry  and  perseverance,  he 
rendered  a  service  to  our  army,  without  which  it  could  not 
have  attained  to  a  condition  capable  of  achieving  hononr 
and  glory  in  the  face  of  European  veteran  troops.  Charm- 
ed with  the  neat  and  soldierly  appearance  of  those  who  had 
profited  by  his  instructions,  and  duly  improved  in  the  art  of 
discipline,  and  equally  detesting  the  soldier  whose  awkward 
unmilitary  conduct  betrayed  his  negligence,  there  never  was 
a  review  but  the  Baron  rewarded  the  one  with  more  than 
praise,  and  censured  the  other,  whether  officer  or  soldier, 
with  a  severity  equal  to  his  deserts.  While  reviewing  our 
regiment,  he  noticed  in  the  ranks  a  very  spruce  young  lad, 
handsomely  formed,  standing  erect,  with  the  air  of  a  genteel 
soldier,  his  gun  and  equipments  in  perfect  order.  The  Ba- 
ron, struck  with  his  military  appearance,  patted  him  under 
his  chin,  to  elevate  his  head  still  more  erect,  viewed  him  with 
a  smile,  and  said,  "  how  long  have  you  been  a  soldier  ?  you 
are  oue  pretty  soldier  in  miniature,  how  old  are  you  ?"  Sev- 
enteen, Sir.  "  Have  you  got  a  wife?"  then  calling  to  the 
Colonel,  said,  "  Colonel  Jackson,  this  is  one  fine  soldier  in 
miniature." 

Dining  at  head  quarters  with  Robert  Morris,  Esq.  and 
other  gentlemen,  Mr.  Morris  complained  bitterly  of  the  mis- 
erable state  of  the  treasury.     "  Why,"  said  the  Baron,  "  are 


LA  FAYETTE.  165 


below  the  mountains,  were  flying  from  their  houses, 
with  their  wives,  their  children,  and  the  most  valuable 

you  not  financier,  why  do  you  not  continue  to  create  funds  ?" 
u  I  have  done  all  I  can,  it  is  not  possible  for  me  to  do  more." 
"  But  you  remain  financier,  though  without  finances  ?" 
"  Yes."  •<  Well,  then.  I  do  not  think  you  are  so  honest  a 
man  as  my  cook.  He  came  to  me  one  day  at  Valley  Forge, 
and  said,  Baron,  I  am  your  cook,  and  you  have  nothing  to 
cook  but  a  piece  of  lean  beef,  which  is  hung  up  by  a  string 
before  the  fire.  Your  negro  waggoner  can  turn  the  string 
and  do  as  well  as  I  can,  you  have  promised  me  ten  dollars  a 
month,  but  as  you  have  nothing  to  cook,  I  wish  to  be  dis- 
charged, and  nor  longer  be  chargeable  to  you.  That  is  an 
honest  fellow,  Morris  " 

Though  never  perfectly  master  of  our  language,  the  Baron 
understood  and  spoke  it  with  sufficient  correctness.  He 
would  sometimes  on  purpose  miscall  names,  and  blend  or  a- 
do.pt  words  similar  in  sound,  dissimilar  in  meaning.  Dining 
at  head  quarters,  which  he  did  frequently,  Mrs.  Washington 
asked  what  amusement  he  had  recourse  to,  now  that  the 
certainty  of  peace  had  relaxed  his  labours.  "  I  read,  my 
lady,  and  write,  and  play  at  chess,  and  yesterday,  for  the 
first  time,  I  went  a  fishing.  My  gentleman  told  me  it  was  a 
very  fine  business  to  catch  fish,  and  I  did  not  know  but  that 
this  new  trade  might,  by  and  by,  be  useful  to  me — but  I 
fear  I  never  can  succeed — I  sat  in  the  boat  three  hours,  it 
being  exceedingly  warm,  and  I  caught  only  two  fish  ;  they 
told  me  it  was  fine  sport."  "  What  kind  of  fish  did  you 
take  Baron  ?"  "  I  am  not  sure,  my  lady,  but  I  believe  one 
ofthemwasa  whale."  "  A  whale,  Baron,  in  the  North 
river  ?"  "  Yes,  I  assure  you,  a  very  fine  whale  my  lady ; 
— it  was  a  whale,  was  it  not  ?"  appealing  to  one  of  his  aids. 
"  An  eel,  Baron  "  "  I  beg  your  pardon,  my  lady,  but  that 
gentleman  certainly  told  me  it  was  a  whale."  "  General 
Washington,  now  that  his  mind  was  comparatively  at  ease, 
enjoyed  a  pleasantry  of  this  kind  highly." 

For  the  proper  understanding  of  the  following  bon  mot  of 
Gen.  Washington,  it  must  be  mentioned,  that  at  Tatwa  falls 
there  was  a  miserable  deformed  object,  who  had  lain  in  his 
cradle  for  twenty-seven  years.     His  head  was  eighteen  inch- 


166  MEMOIRS  OF 


of  their  personal  property,  to  seek  protection  in  the 
mountains.  The  state  authorities,  executive  and  le- 
es in  length,  and  the  rest  of  his  body  twenty- seven  inches. 
He  received  numerous  visiters,  among  whom  was  his  Ex- 
cellency, who  asked  him  wherher  he  was  a  whig  or  tory  1 
He  answered  as  he  had  been  taught,  that  he  had  never  tak- 
en an  active  part  on  either  side.  u  A  worthy  gentleman  and 
lady  came  out  of  New  York  after  the  preliminaries  of  peace 
were  signed,  to  visit  their  friends,  and  resided  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Baron  Steuben,  by  whom  the  whole  party,  to- 
gether with  his  Excellency  and  lady,  were  invited  to  dine. 
It  is  proper,  said  the  Baron,  that  your  Excellency  should  be 

apprized  that  Mr and  his  lady  from  New  York  are  to 

cjine  with  me,  and  perhaps,  Sir,  you  may  not  choose  to  meet 

Mr. .     Oh,  Baron,  said  the  General,  laughing,  there  is 

no  difficulty  on  that  point.     Mr. is  very  like  the  big 

headed  boy  at  Tatawa,  he  never  has  taken  an  active  part. 
This  was  allowed  to  be  a  most  adroit  coup  de  sabre  by  those 
who  knew  the  gentleman,  though  it  is  doubted  whether  if  he 
had  heard  it  he  would  have  felt  the  stroke. 

At  the  disbandment  of  the  revolutionary  army,  when  in- 
mates of  the  same  tent,  or  hut,  for  seven  long  years,  were 
separating,  and  probably  forever ;  grasping  each  other's 
hand,  in  silent  agony,  I  saw  the  Baron's  strong  endeavours 
to  throw  some  ray  of  sunshine  on  the  gloom,  to  mix  some 
drop  of  cordial  with  the  painful  draught.  To  go,  they  knew 
not  whither;  all  recollection  of  the  art  to  thrive  by  civil  oc- 
cupations lost,  or  to  the  youthful  never  known.  Their  hard 
earned  military  knowledge  worse  than  useless,  and  with 
their  badge  of  brotherhood,  a  mark  at  which  to  point  the 
finger  of  suspicion — ignoble,  vile  suspicion !  to  be  cast  out 
on  a  world,  long  since  by  them  forgotten. — Severed  from 
friends,  and  all  the  joys  and  griefs  which  soldiers  feel! 
Griefs,  while  hope  remained— when  shared  by  numbers,  al- 
most joys  !  To  go  in  silence  and  alone,  and  poor  and  hope- 
less ;  it  was  too  hard  !  On  that  sad  day  how  many  hearts 
were  wrung  !  I  saw  it  all,  nor  will  the  scene  be  ever  blurred 
or  blotted  from  my  view  To  a  stern  old  officer,  a  Lieute- 
nant Colonel  Cochran  from  the  Green  Mountains,  who  had 
met  danger   and  difficulty  almost  in  every  step,  from  his 


LA  FAYETTE.  167 


gislative,  like  the  flying  inhabitants,  were  driven  from 
the  seat  of  government;  were  chased  from  Charlottes- 
youth,  and  from  whose  furrowed  visage,  a  tear  till  that  mo- 
ment had  never  fallen  ;  the  good  Baron  said — what  could 
be  said,  to  lessen  deep  distress.  "For  myself," said  Cochran, 
u  I  care  not,  I  can  stand  it :  but  my  wife  and  daughters  are 
in  the  garret  of  that  wretched  tavern.  I  know  not  where 
to  remove,  nor  have  I  means  for  their  removal.'7  "  Come, 
my  friend,  said  the  Baron,  "let  us  go — I  will  pay  my  res- 
pects to  Mrs.  Cochran  and  your  daughters,  if  you  please." 
"  I  followed  to  the  loft,  the  lower  rooms  being  ah  fiHed  with 
soldiers,  with  drunkenness,  despair  and  blasphemy.  And 
when  the  Baron  left  the  poor  unhappy  cast  aways,  he  left 
hope  with  them,  and  all  he  had  to  give."  u  A  black  man, 
with  wounds  unhealed,  wept  on  the  wharf — (for  it  was  at 
N^wburgh  where  this  tragedy  was  acting) — there  was  a  ves- 
sel in  the  stream,  bound  to  the  place  where  he  once  had 
friends.  He  had  not  a  dollar  to  pay  his  passage,  and  he 
could  not  walk.  Unused  to  tears,  I  saw  them  trickle  down 
this  good  man's  cheeks,  as  he  put  into  the  hands  of  the  black 
man  the  last  dollar  he  possessed.  The  negro  hailed  the 
sloop,  and  cried,  U  God  Almighty  bless  you,  master  Ba- 
ron I" 

What  good  and  honourable  man,  civil  or  military,  before 
the  accursed  party-spirit  murdered  friendships,  did- wot.nes- 
pect  and  love  the  Baron  ?  Who  most  ?  Those  who  kneV 
him  best.  After  the  peace,  the  Baron  retired  to  a  farm  in 
the  vicinity  of  New  York,  where,  with  forming  a  system  for 
the  organization  and  discipline  of  the  militia,  books,  chess, 
and  the  frequent  visits  of  his  numerous  friends,  he  passed  his 
time  as  agreeably  as  a  frequent  want  of  funds  would  permit. 
The  state  of  New  Jersey  had  given  him  a  small  improved 
farm,  and  the  state  of  New  York  gave  him  a  tract  of  sixteen 
thousand  acres  of  land  in  the  county  of  Oneida.  After  the 
general  government  was  in  full  operation,  by  the  exertions 
of  Col.  Hamilton,  patronized  and  enforced  by  President 
Washington,  a  grant  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars 
per  annum  was  made  to  him  lor  life.  The  summers  were 
now  chiefly  spent  on  his  land,  and  his  winters  in  the  city. 
His  sixteen  thousand  acres  of  land  were  in  the  uncultivated 


1G8  MEMOIRS  OF 


ville  ;  and  at  length,  interposing  the  Blue  Ridge  be- 
tween themselves  and  the  enemy,  to  secure  a  resting 

wilderness  ;  he  built  a  convenient  log  house,  cleared  sixty 
acres,  parceled  out  his  land  on  easy  terms  to  twenty  or  thirty 
tenants,  distributed  nearly  a  tenth  of  the  tract  in  gifts  to  his 
aids  de  camp  and  servants,  and  sat  himself  down  to  a  cer- 
tain degree  contented  without  society,  except  that  of  a  young 
gentleman,  who  read  to  and  with  him.  He  ate  only  at  din- 
ner, but  he  ate  with  a  strong  appetite.  In  drinking;  he  was 
always  temperate,  indeed,  he  was  free  from  every  vicious 
habit.  His  powers  of  mind  and  body  were  strong,  and  he 
received  to  a  certain  extent,  a  liberal  education.  His  days 
wert-  undoubtedly  shortened  by  his  sedentary  mode  of  life. 
He  was  seized  with  an  apoplexy  which,  in  a  few  hours,  was 
fatal.  Agreeably  to  his  desire,  often  expressed,  he  was 
wrapped  in  his  cloak,  placed  in  a  plain  coffin,  and  hid  in  the 
earth,  without  a  stone  to  tell  where  he  lies.  A  few  neigh- 
bours, his  servants,  die  young  gentleman,  his  late  companion, 
and  one  on  whom,  for  fifteen  years,  his  countenance  never 
ceased  to  beam  with  kindness,  followed  to  the  grave.  It 
was  in  a  thick,  a  lonely  wood,  but  in  a  few  years  after,  a 
public  highway  was  opened  near  or  over  the  hallowed  sod  ! 
Col  Walker  snatched  the  poor  remains  of  his  dear  friend 
from  sacreligious  violation,  and  gave  a  bounty  to  protect 
the  ^rave  in  which  he  laid  them,  from  rude  and  impious  in- 
trusion     He  died  in  1795,  in  the  65th  year  of  his  age. 

"  -'ome  few  years  previous  to  the  Baron's  death,  a  pious 
gentleman  of  the  city  of  New  York,  who  had  a  great  affec- 
tion for  him,  told  me,  with  strong  marks  of  joy,  that  'hey 
had  passed  the  evening,  and  a  part  of  the  last  night  together 
— that  the  Baron  confessed  his  full  belief  in  Jesus  Christ, 
with  sure  and  certain  hope,  through  him  of  a  blessed  immor- 
tality. l  From  the  life  our  dear  friend  has  led,  in  camps, 
and  in  the  gay  world,'  said  the  good  man,  '1  feared  ;  and 
you  do  not  know  what  joy  I  feel,  in  the  belief,  that  he  will  be 
well  to  all  eternity  !'  The  Baron  was  a  member  of  the  Re- 
formed German  Church,  in  New  York." 

Gen.  North,  from  the  impulse  of  his  own  affectionate  and 
grateful  feelings,  erected  a  handsome  monument  with  an 
appropriate  inscription,  in  the  Reformed  German  Church  in 


LA  FAYETTE.  169 


place  at  Staunton.  In  this  period  of  gloom,  of  disor- 
der, and  of  peril,  La  Fayette  was  collected  and  undis- 
mayed. With  zeal,  with  courage,  and  with  sagacity, 
he  discharged  his  arduous  duties  ;  and  throughout  his 
difficult  retreat,  was  never  brought  even  to  array  his 
army  but  once  in  order  of  battle.* 

"  Invigorating  our  counsels  by  his  precepts ;  dispel- 
ling our  despondency  by  his  example  ;  and  encoura- 
ging his  troops  to  submit  to  their  many  privations,  by 
the  cheerfulness  with  which  he  participated  in  their 
wants  ;  he  imparted  the  energy  of  his  own  mind  to  the 
country,  and  infused  his  high  toned  spirit  into  his  ar- 
my."! 

New  York,  to  the  memory  of  his  illustrious  patron  and 
friend,  and  these  pages  accord  with  the  views  of  that  me- 
morial, in  transmitting  to  posterity  a  renowned  hero,  whose 
name  and  invaluable  labors  should  never  be  forgotten. 

What  remained  of  the  Baron's  estate,  excepting  one  thou- 
sand dollars  and  his  library,  which  he  willed  to  a  youth, 
whose  father  had  rendered  essential  service  in  the  war,  and 
whose  education  he  generously  charged  himself  with,  was 
bequeathed  to  his  two  affectionate  aids  de  camps. — Thacher's 
Journal. 

*  Lee's  Memoirs. 

t  The  following  anecdote  is  from  Dr.  Thacher's  Jour- 
nal. It  not  only  serves  to  shew  the  vigilance  of  La  Fay- 
ette, but  that,  such  was  the  affection  of  "  Charley"  for 
his  general,  that  he  was  willing  to  serve  him,  even  at  the 
risk  of  being  hung  as  a  spy. 

"  Cornwallis  at  one  time  formed  a  plan  to  surprise  the 
Marquis  while  on  the  same  side  of  the  James  river  with 
himself,  but  the  attempt  was  prevented  by  the  following 
incident  :  The  Marquis,  unapprised  of  the  particular  situ- 
ation of  his  opponent,  contrived  to  send  into  his  camp  a 
spy  to  obtain  intelligence.  A  soldier  belonging  to  New- 
Jersey,  by  the  name  of  Charles  Morgan,  generally  called 
Charley,  agreed  to  undertake  this  hazardous  service ; 
but  insisted  that  in  case  he  should  be  discovered  and  ban*- 

15 


170  MEMOIRS  OF 


Lord  Cornwallis  did  not  escape  censure  for  per- 
mitting La  Fayette  to  escape  out  of  his  hands.    "  Mow. 

ed,  the  Marquis,  to  secure  his  reputation,  should  have  ii 
inserted  in  the  New  Jersey  papers,  that  he  was  employed 
in  the  service  of  his  commander.  Having  reached  the 
royal  camp,  he  was  soon  introduced  into  his  Lordship's 
presence,  who  inquired  the  reason  of  his  deserting.  Char- 
ley replied,  *'  that  he  had  been  in  the  continental  service 
from  the  beginning,  and  while  under  Washington  he  was 
well  satisfied  ;  but  being  now  commanded  by  a  French- 
man, he  was  displeased  with  it,  and  had  quitted  the  ser- 
vice." His  Lordship  commended  and  rewarded  him  for 
his  conduct,  and  Charley  soon  commenced  the  double  duty 
of  soldier  under  the  English  commander,  and  spy  in  the 
employment  of  the  Marquis,  without  suspicion.  Lord 
Cornwallis,  while  in  conversation  with  several  of  his  offi- 
cers, inquired  of  Charley,  how  long  a  time  it  would  take 
the  Marquis  to  cross  the  James  river  ?  Pausing  a  moment, 
he  replied,  *'  three  hours,  my  Lord."  His  Lordship  ex- 
chimed,  "  three  hours  !  it  will  take  three  days."  "  No, 
my  Lord,  said  Charley,  the  Marquis  has  such  a  number  oi 
boats,  and  each  boat  will  carry  so  many  men  ;  if  you  will 
please  to  calculate,  you  will  find  he  can  pass  in  three 
hours."  His  Lordship  turning  to  the  officers,  said,  "  the 
scheme  will  not  do."  After  having  obtained  the  informa- 
tion required,  Morgan  began  to  prepare  for  a  return  to 
the  Marquis,  and  he  prevailed  with  several  British  sol- 
diers to  desert  with  him.  When  challenged  by  the  sen- 
tinels, he  artfully  tampered  with  them  by  giving  them  rum, 
and  while  drinking  he  secured  their  arms,  and  then  com- 
pelled them  to  go  with  him  5  and  this  brave  fellow  actually 
brought  off  seven  deserters  to  our  camp.  On  his  return  to 
head  quarters,  the  Marquis  accosted  him  with  "  Well, 
Charley,  have  you  got  back  ?"  "  Yes,  please  your  Excel- 
lency, and  have  brought  seven  men  with  me."  Having 
Communicated  his  information,  the  Marquis  offered  to  re- 
ward him,  but  he  declined  receiving  any  money,  and  when 
it  was  proposed  to  promote  him  to  a  corporal,  or  serjeant, 
he  replied,  UI  have  ability  to   discharge  the  duties  of  a 


LA  FAYETTE.  171 


for  the  first  time  throughout  the  war,*  says  Lee,  '  did 
ever  doubt  attach  to  the  merits  of  the  British  general. 
In  the  North,  in  the  South,  in  the  cabinet,  and  in  the 
field,  he  stood  pre-eminent  ;  the  bulwark  of  Great 
Britain  ;  the  dread  of  America." 

"  When  in  command  of  mighty  means,  and  in  the 
heart  of  that  state  whose  prostration  he  uniformly 
viewed  as  the  first  pre-requisite  to  the  subjugation  of 
the  South,  that  he  should  content  himself  with  burning 
tobacco,  destroying  a  portion  of  our  scattered  stores., 
and  chasing  our  governour  from  hill  to  hill,  and  legisla- 
ture from  town  to  town,  comported  neither  with  his 
past  fame,  nor  with  his  then  present  duty." 

While  Cornwallis  was  retreating  towards  Richmond. 
La  Fayette,  observing  his  usual  distance,  followed  in 
his  rear.  On  the  18th  his  Lordship  detached  col. 
Tarleton,  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  off  a  small  corps 
posted  at  some  lilttle  distance  from  the  main  body  of 
the  American  army.  The  commander  of  the  corps. 
Brigadier  General  Muhlenburg,  getting  information  of 
this  design,  fell  back  upon  La  Fayette,  and  thus  de- 
feated the  enemy's  object.  Meantime  one  ofTarle- 
ton's  patrols  of  horse  was  fallen  in  with  by  col.  Mer- 
cer, and  was  pursued  and  safely  conveyed  to  the 
Amerioaii  camp. 

This  was  the  first  success  of  the  kind  obtained  bv 
our  army  during  the  campaign. 

After  the  passage  of  James  River,  Cornwallis  de- 
tached Col.  Tarleton  to  Bedford,  for  the  purpose  of 
destroying  the  stores  intended  to  supply  our  army  in 
the  South,  and  thus  to  prevent  any  of  Gen.  Greene's 
light  troops  from  joining  La  Fayette,  some  of  whom 

•  ommon  soldier,  and  my  character  stands  fair,  but  should 
I  be  promoted,  I  may  fail,  and  lose  my  reputation. "  He, 
however,  requested  that  his  destitute  comrades  who  came 
with  him,  might  be  furnished  with  shoes  and  clmliing. 
which  of  course  was  readily  granted. 


nt  MEMOIRS  OF 


he  believed  were  approaching.  Immediately  after 
the  affair  near  Jamestown,  the  American  commandef 
was  joined  by  a  reinforcement  of  horse  commanded  by 
Capt.  Moore. 

About  this  period,  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  who  com- 
manded at  New- York,  directed  Cornwallis  to  select 
and  fortify  a  permanent  post,  convenient  for  desultory 
maritime  expeditions  up  the  Chesapeake  and  its  nu- 
merous rivers,  and  capable  of  protecting  line  of  battle- 
ships. The  place  selected  for  this  purpose  was  York, 
not  far  above  the  mouth  of  York  river.  On  the  oppo 
site  shore  from  this  place  is  Gloucester  Point,  a  pieco 
of  land  projecting  into  the  river.  Both  these  post- 
were  taken  possession  of,  and  fortifications  were  im 
mediately  commenced. 

La  Fayette,  as  soon  as  he  was  advised  of  the  posi- 
tion of  the  enemy  broke  up  his  camp,  and  recalled 
Wayne  from  the  southern  side  of  James  river,  where 
he  had  been  detached  to  intercept  Tarleton,  and  held 
himself  in  readiness  to  intercept  Cornwallis'  retreat, 
should  that  general  discover  the  blow  that  was  pre- 
paring for  him,  and  attempt  his  escape. 

About  the-  middle  of  September,  the  joyful  news 
arrived,  that  Count  de  Grasse  was  approaching  the 
American  coast  with  a  powerful  fleet,  having  onboard 
three  thousand  land  forces  for  the  American  service. 

Gen.  Washington,  previous  to  this  intelligence,  had 
concerted  a  plan  for  the  investment  of  New- York, 
the  strong  hold  of  the  enemy,  and  the  head  quarters  of 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  the  commander  in  chief  of  the 
British  army  in  America.  But  on  the  arrival  of  the 
squadron,  this  plan  was  abandoned,  in  consideration  of 
some  objections  urged  by  Count  de  Barras,  the  French 
naval  commander,  and  Washington  decided  to  turn  his 
arms  against  Cornwallis. 

La  Fayette  was  again  ordered  to  take  measures  to 
arrest  the  march  of  Cornwallis,  should  he  attempt  tt 
retreat  to  the  south. 


LA  FAYETTE.  173 


Meantime,  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  being  informed  of 
the  preparations  in  which  the  Americans  were  enga- 
ged, did  not  doubt  but  an  attempt  was  to  be  made  on 
him,  and  therefore  used  great  exertions  to  put  his  post 
in  the  best  state,  for  a  vigorous  defence.  Some  inter- 
cepted letters  from  Washington,  designed  for  the  pur- 
pose, confirmed  the  British  commander  in  this  belief. 

Pursuant  to  arrangements,  Count  de  Barras  with 
his  fleet,  sailed  from  Rhode  Island  on  the  25th  of  Au 
gust,  1781,  while  on  the  same  day  the  last  division  of 
the  American  army,  destined  against  Cornwallis  cros- 
sed the  Hudson,  on  the  way  to  Yorktown. 

On  the  30th,  Count  de  Grasse  arrived  in  the  Chesa- 
peake with  his  fleet  •,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  anchored, 
La  Fayette  sent  on  board  an  officer,  announcing  his 
situation,  and  that  of  the  enemy.  The  Count  imme- 
diately detached  four  ships  of  the  line  to  block  up 
York  river,  and  at  the  same  time  landed  the  Marquis 
St.  Simon,  with  the  French  reinforcement,  to  join  La 
Fayette. 

On  the  25th  day  of  September,  the  last  division  of 
Washington's  army  arrived  at  James  river,  at  the 
landing  place  near  Williamsburg,  where  they  were 
disembarked;  and  preparations  for  advancing  against 
the  enemy  were  soon  completed. 

La  Fayette's  head  quarters  being  at  Williamsburg, 
Gen  Washington,  atteuded  by  Gen.  Knox,*  and  the 

*  Henry  Knox,  a  Major  General  in  the  army  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  was  born  July  25,  1750.  Before  hostilities  be- 
tween this  country  and  Great  Britain  in  the  revolutionary 
war  commenced,  he  discovered  an  uncommon  zeal  in  the- 
cause  of  liberty.  Being  placed  at  the  head  of  an  independ- 
ent company  in  Boston,  he  exhibited,  in  this  station,  a  skill  in 
discipline,  which  presaged  his  future  eminence.  It  was  at  the 
unanimous  request  of  all  the  officers  of  artillery,  lhat  lie  was 
entrusted  with  the  command  in  that  department.  When 
the  corps  of  artillery  iu  1776  was  mcreased  to  three  negh 

15* 


174  MEMOIRS  OF 


officers  of  the  allied  army,  Generals  Rochambeau, 
Chatelleau  and  Du  Portail,  having  arrived  there  on  the 
14th,  went  on  board  the  admiral's  ship,  where  the 
plan  of  attack  was  concerted. 

merits,  the  command  was  given  to  Knox,  who  was  promo- 
ted to  the  rank  of  a  Brigadier  General.  He  was  actively 
engaged  during  the  whole  contest.  After  the  capture  of 
Cornwallis  in  1781,  he  received  the  commission  of  Major 
General,  having  distinguished  himself  in  the  siege  at  the 
head  of  the  artillery.  Previously  to  the  adoption  of  the 
present  constitution  General  Knox  succeeded  General  Lin- 
coln as  secretary  at  war  in  March  1785  j  and  after  our  pre- 
sent government  was  organized  in  1789,  president  Wash- 
ington nominated  him  for  the  same  office.  He  continued  to 
fill  this  department  till  the  close  of  the  year  1794,  when  he 
resigned  it,  being  driven  from  the  service  of  the  public  by 
the  scantiness  of  the  compensation  allowed  him.  In  his  let- 
ter to  the  president  he  says,  "  after  having  served  my  coun- 
try near  twenty  years,  the  greater  portion  of  the  time  under 
your  immediate  auspices,  it  is  with  extreme  reluctance  I  find 
myself  constrained  to  withdraw  from  so  honourable  a  situa- 
tion. But  the  natural  and  powerful  claims  of  a  numerous 
family  will  no  longer  permit  me  to  neglect  their  essential  in- 
terests. In  whatever  situation  I  shall  be,  I  shall  recollect 
your  confidence  and  kindness  with  all  the  fervor  and  purity 
of  affection,  of  which  a  grateful  heart  is  susceptible."  Gen- 
eral Washington  in  reply  assured  him  of  his  sincerest  friend- 
ship, and  declared  him  to  have  "deserved  well  of  his  coun- 
try." During  the  last  years  of  his  life,  General  Knox  lived 
at  Thomastown  in  the  district  of  Maine.  It  was  in  that 
place  that  he  died,  after  a  short  illness,  October  25,  1806, 
aged  fifty-six  years.  His  death  was  occasioned  by  his  swal- 
lowing the  bone  of  a  chicken. 

General  Knox  was  distinguished  for  his  military  talents, 
his  bravery,  perse verence,  and  integrity.  He  possessed  in 
an  Uncommon  degree  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  Wash- 
ington. Though  a  soldier  and  a  statesman,  he  did  not  dis- 
miss the  amiable  virtues  of  the  man.  There  was  a  frank- 
ness in  his  manners,  which  was  pleasing,  and  his  heart  wair 
susceptible  of  the  kindly  affections. — Men's  Biog.  Diet 


LA  FAYETTE.  17* 


The  whole  American  force  being  collected,  and  the 
harbor  blockaded  by  the  French  fleet,  on  the  28th  the 
allied  army  moved  forward  in  four  columns  and  took 
post  in  front  of  Cornwallis'  lines  and  about  two  miles 
from  him. 

The  siege  was  carried  on  with  great  vigour,  our 
lines  continuing  to  advance  on  the  enemy  until  the 
14th  of  October,  when  Cornwallis  opened  amo3t  tre- 
mendous and  effectual  fire  from  his  battery  and  two 
front  redoubts,  on  his  assailants. 

This  fire  was  so  destructive  that  Washington  deter- 
mined to  silence  it  with  the  bayonet,  and  for  this  pur- 
pose selected  La  Fayette  to  head  the  assault  on  the 
right,  leaving  it  to  Rochambeau  to  designate  the  offi- . 
cer  who  should  lead  the  left,  and  the  Baron  de  Vio- 
menil  was  detached  to  co-operate  with  the  Marquis. 
Lieut.  Col.  Hamilton  commanded  the  van  of  La  Fay- 
ette's corps,  and  such  was  the  impetuosity  with  which 
the  assault  was  made,  that  the  resistance  of  the  enemy 
was  instantly  overpowered,  and  the  commander  of  the 
redoubt,  and  every  man  of  his  guard,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  five  or  six,  were  either  killed  or  taken.  La 
Fayette  instantly  despatched  Major  Barbour,  one  of 
his  aids,  to  the  Baron  De  Viomenil,  to  communicate 
his  success.  The  Baron,  ready  for  the  assault,  was 
waiting  to  give  time  to  the  ax  and  facine  men  to  cut 
down  the  palisades  and  fill  up  the  fosse  ;  when,  aston- 
ished at  the  intelligence  he  received,  he  announced  it 
with  a  loud  voice  to  his  troops,  and  ordered  them  to 
advance.  This  was  done  with  the  ardor  of  a  French- 
man ;  and  although  the  resistance  was  formidable,  the 
enemy  being  double  in  number,  and  apprised  of  the 
approach,  still  the  shock  was  irresistible  ;  the  com- 
mandant escaped,  but  the  place  was  instantly  taken, 
with  sixty  prisoners. 

Washington  was  highly  gratified  with  the  success  of 
this  double  assault,  and  did  not  fail  to  commend)  in 
high  terms,  the  officers  and  corps  engaged  in  it. 


176  MEMOIRS  OF 


The  siege  was  now  prosecuted  with  the  utmost  vig- 
our. So  completely  had  Washington  infused  into  his 
army  his  own  solicitude  to  bring  it  to  a  speedy  ter- 
mination, that  before  daylight  the  next  morning,  after 
the  redoubts  were  taken,  they  were  included  within 
the  lines  of  our  army. 

Cornwallis  saw,  with  amazement,  the  fruits  of  that 
night's  labor,  and  began  to  be  sensible  that  his  condi- 
tion was  hopeless,  unless  a  reinforcement,  which  he 
had  anxiously  expected  for  several  days  from  New 
York,  should  very  promptly  arrive.  In  this  hope  he 
was  however  disappointed,  and  having  maintained  his 
defence  with  unceasing  exertions  until  the  17th,  he 
.proposed  cessation  of  hostilities.  On  the  18th  the 
articles  of  capitulation  were  signed,  and  the  "  bul- 
wark of  Britian  in  America;"  and  the  dread  of  the 
United  States,  found  himself  under  the  humiliating  ne- 
cessity of  surrendering  himself,  and  his  whole  army, 
prisoners  of  war  to  the  "  rebel  Washington."* 

*  Marquis  Charles  Cornwallis,  was  boru  in  1731,  and 
from  his  infancy  was  designed  for  the  military  life.  He  ac- 
cordingly entered  into  the  army  at  a  very  early  age,  and 
was  made  a  captain  in  the  light  infantry  in  1758.  Three 
years  afterwads  he  was  Aid-de-camp  to  the  Marquis  of 
Granby,  whom  he  accompanied  hi  Germany  till  the  end  of 
the  war.  In  1 .61  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel,  and  the  year  following  succeeded,  on  the  death 
of  his  father,  to  the  title  of  Earl  Cornwallis.  In  1765  he 
was  appointed  one  of  the  lords  of  the  bed  chamber,  and  Aid- 
de-camp  to  the  king.  The  year  following  he  obtained  the 
command  of  the  33d  regiment  of  foot ;  and  in  1768  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Jones,  a  lady  of  considerable  fortune,  who  brought 
him  a  son  and  daughter.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
in  America  he  was  called  upon  to  embark  for  that  country  ; 
and  his  lady  not  being  able  to  prevail  with  him  to  relinquish 
the  service,  died  of  grief.  In  that  contest  his  lordship  dis- 
played great  military  talents,  took  possession  of  Philadel- 
phia, contributed  to  the  reduction  of  South  Carolina,  and  de^ 


LA  FAYETTE.  177 


The  comander  in  chief,  in  his  orders  of  congratu- 
lation on  this  happy  event,  made  his  cordial  acknow* 
ledgment  to  the  whole  army,  as  having  displayed  un 
varying  zeal,  vigour,  and  intrepidity.  In  specifying 
officers  who  had  performed  services  of  peculiar  merit, 
the  name  of  La  Fayette  is  mentioned  among  the  most 
prominent. 

feated  Gen.  Gates  with  an  inferior  force.  But  in  1781  he 
was  under  the  necessity  of  surrendering  at  Yorktown,  to  the 
united  American  and  French  army,  soon  after  which  he  re- 
turned to  England.  The  affairs  of  British  India  wearing  a 
critical  aspect,  he  was  appointed  governor  general  at  Bengal, 
where  in  December  1790  he  took  Bangalore,  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  defeat  of  Tippoo  Saib,  who  delivered  to  his 
lordship  his  two  sons  as  hostages.  This  important  war  be- 
ing thus  honourably  ended,  he  returned  to  England,  and 
was  created  a  Marquis,  and  appointed  Master-General  of  the 
ordnance.  The  next  service  in  which  he  was  engaged,  was 
as  Lord-Lieutenant  of  Ireland,  where  he  quelled  an  insurrec- 
tion, defeated  an  invading  army,  and  succeeded  in  effecting 
the  important  measure  of  a  union  between  the  two  kingdoms. 
In  1801  he  was  employed  as  minister  plenipotentiary  in 
France,  in  which  capacity  he  signed  the  preliminary  treaty 
of  peace  at  Amiens.  His  lordship  again  accepted  the  gov- 
ernorship of  India  in  the  summer  of  1805,  but  soon  after 
his  arrival  he  died  of  a  fever  on  his  march  to  join  the  arm} 
at  Ghazeepore,  in  the  province  of  Benares. — Watkins'  hiog, 
Dictionary. 


178  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  VT. 

JIEPARTURE    OF    LA    FAYETTE    FOR     FRANCE,    AND    HIS    RJETIJR> 
TO   AMERICA    IN    1784. 

Soon  after  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  La  Fayette 
made  preparations  to  visit  his  native  country.  The 
resolves  of  Congress  on  that  occasion  will  shew  that 
he  was  held  in  high  estimation  by  that  body,  and  that 
his  services,  particularly  in  Virginia,  were  considered 
as  meriting  the  peculiar  notice  and  high  commenda- 
tion of  the  Americans. * 

*  Extract  from  the  Journal  of  Congre$$,  Nov.  23,  1781  : 

"  On  report  of  a  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  Caroll,  Mr 
Madison,  and  Mr.  Cornell,  to  whom  was  referred  a  letter 
of  the  22d,  from  Major-General,  the  Marquis  De  La  Fay- 
ette : 

Resolved,  That  Major  General  the  Marquis  de  La    Fay 
ette  have  permission  lo  go  to  France  ;  and  that  he  return  at 
such  time  as  shall  be  most  convenient  to  him. 

That  he  be  informed,  that  on  a  review  of  his  conduct 
throughout  the  last  campaign,  and  particularly  during  the 
period  in  which  he  had  the  chief  command  in  Virginia,  the 
many  new  proofs  which  present  themselves  of  his  zealous 
attachment  to  the  cause  he  has  espoused,  and  of  his  judg- 
ment, vigilance,  gallantry  and  address  in  its  defence,  have 
greatly  added  to  the  high  opinion  entertained  by  Congress 
of  his  merits  and  military  talents. 

That  he  make  known  to  the  officers  and  troops  whom  he 
commanded  during  that  period,  that  the  brave  and  enterpriz- 
ing  services  with  which  they  seconded  his  zeal  and  efforts, 
and  which  enabled  him  to  defeat  the  attempts  of  an  enemy, 
far  superior  in  numbers,  have  been  beheld  by  Congress  with 
particular  satisfaction  and  approbation. 

That  the  secretary  of  foreign  affairs  acquaint  the  ministers 
plenipotentiary  of  the  United  States,  that  it  is  the  desire  ol 
Congress  that  they  confer  with  the  Marquis  de  La  Fayette. 


LA  FAYETTE.  179 


La  Fayette  sailed  for  France  in  the  fall  of  1  78 1 ,  and 
on  his  arrival,  was  every  where  received  with  those 
marks  of  distinction  which  he  so  highly  deserved. 

Franklin,  who  was  the  American  ministerat  the 
Court  of  Versailles,  honoured  him  with  his  particular 

and  avail  themselves  of  his  information  relative  to  the  situa- 
tion of  public  affairs  in  the  United  States  : 

That  the  Secretary  for  Foreign  Affairs  further  acquaint 
the  Minister  Plenipotentiary  at  the  Court  of  Versailles,  that 
lie  will  conform  to  the  intention  of  Congress,  by  consulting 
with  and  employing  the  assistance  of  the  Marquis  de  La* 
Fayette,  in  accelerating  the  supplies  which  may  be  afforded 
by  his  most  Christian  Majesty  for  the  use  of  the  United 
States  : 

That  the  Superintendant  of  Finance,  the  Secretary  for 
Foreign  Affairs,  and  the  Board  of  War,  make  such  commu- 
nications to  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  touching  the  affairs 
of  their  respective  departments,  as  will  best  enable  him  to 
fulfil  the  purpose  of  the  two  resolutions  immediately  prece- 
ding : 

That  the  Superintendant  of  Finance  take  orders  for  dis- 
charging the  engagements  entered  into  by  the  Marquis  de 
La  Fayette,  with  the  merchants  of  Baltimore,  referred  to 
in  the  act  of  the  24th  of  May  last. 

Ordered,  That  the  Superintendant  of  Finance  furnish  the 
Marquis  de  La  Fayette  with  a  proper  conveyance  to  France  : 

That  the  Secretary  for  Foreign  Affairs  report  a  letter  to 
his  most  Christian  Majesty,  to  be  sent  by  the  Marquis  de  La 
Fayette." 

To  these  Resolutions  the  Marquis  made  the  following  re- 
ply ; 
"  To  the  President  of  Congress  : 

"  Sir— I  have  been  favoured  with  the  resolutions  which 
Congress  have  been  pleased  to  pass  in  my  favour.  Testimo- 
nies of  their  esteem  and  their  confidence,  that  are  so  very 
flattering  to  me,  could  not  but  excite  those  exalted  sentiments 
of  gratitude,  which  I  am  unable  sufficiently  to  express.  My 
attachment  to  America,  the  sense  of  my  obligations,  and  the 
new  favours  conferred  upon  me,  are  so  many  everlasting  ties 


180  MEMOIRS  OF 


regards,  and  paid  a  proper  deference  to  his  opinions  on 
the  subject  of  American  affairs. 

In  a  letter  to  Washington,  Dr.  Franklin  speaks  of 
La  Fayette  as  follows  : 

"  1  received  but  lately  the  letter  your  Excellency 
did  me  the  honour  of  writing  to  me,  in  the  recommend 
ation  of  the  Marquis  de  La  Fayette.  His  modesty  de 
tained  it  long  in  his  own  hands.  We  became  acquaint- 
ed, however,  from  the  time  of  arrival  in  Paris  ;  and 
his  zeal  for  the  honour  of  our  country,  his  activity  in 
our  affairs  here,  and  his  firm  attachment  to  our  cause, 
and  to  you,  impressed  me  with  the  same  regard  and 
esteem  for  him,  that  your  Excellency's  letter  would 
have  done  had  it  been  immediately  delivered  to  me." 

In  1782,  when  there  was  a  progpect  of  settling  a 
peace  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain, 
frequent  conferences  were  held  on  this  subject  at  Paris, 
between  lord  Grenville  and  Mr.  Oswald  on  the  part 
of  Great  Britain ;  Dr.  Franklin  on  the  part  of  Ameri- 
ca, and  the  Count  De  Vergennes  on  the  part  of 
France. 

In  these  conferences,  La  Fayette  was  invited  by  Dr. 
Franklin  to  assist  him  in  settling  the  most  advantage- 
ous preliminaries  for  America." 

From  Franklin's  Journal,  and  the  notes  that  passed 
between  him  and  La  Fayette,  there  recorded,  it  will 
appear  that  the  latter  was  almost  unremittingly  em- 
ployed on  this  subject.  That  he  possessed  the  entire 
confidence  of  Franklin  and  the  other  commissioners: 


that  devote  me  to  her.  At  all  times,  and  in  every  part  of 
the  world,  my  heart  will  be  panting  for  opportunities  to  be 
employed  in  her  service.  With  unspeakable  pleasure  I  shall 
transmit  the  resolve  of  Congress  to  the  brave  and  virtuous 
troops,  whom  it  has  been  my  happiness  to  command. 
I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

LA  FAYETTE." 
*  See  Franklin's  Secret  Correspondence   with   Congress, 


LA  FAYETTE.  131 


and  that  he  used  great  exertions  as  a  mediator  between 
them,  is  also  shown  by  the  same  correspondence. 

In  Franklin's  Journal  for  May,  1782,  he  says  :  u  In 
the  afternoon  the  Marquis  de  La  Fayette  called  on  me. 
I  acquainted  him  with  what  Mr.  Greenville  had  told  me 
respecting  his  credential  letter,  and  the  expectation 
that  a  person  would  be  sent  to  London  on  the  part  of 
this  court,  with  a  commission  similar  to  his.  The 
Marquis  told  me  he  was  on  his  way  to  Versailles,  and 
should  see  M.  de  Vergennes,"  &c. 

The  following  note,  on  the  same  subject,  is  dated. 
"  Versailles,  June  20,  1782. 
"  My  dear  Sir, 

;i  Agreeably  to  your  desire,  1  have  waited  on  Count 
de  Vergennes,  and  said  to  him  what  I  had  in  command 
from  your  Excellency.  He  intends  taking  the  King's 
orders  this  morning,  and  expects  he  will  be  able  to 
propose  to  Mr.  Grenville  a  meeting  for  to-morrow: 
when  he  will  have  time  to  explain  himself  respecting 
France  and  her  allies,  that  he  may  make  an  official 
communication,  both  to  the  king  and  the  allied  minis- 
ters. What  Count  de  Vergennes  can  make  out  of  this 
conversation,*  will  be  communicated  by  him  to  your 
Excellency,  in  case  you  are  able  to  come.  In  the 
other  case  I  shall  wait  upon  you  to-morrow  evening 
with  every  information  I  can  collect. 

"  1  have  the  honour,  &c. 

LA  FAYETTE.'' 

fl  To  His  Excellency, 
B.  Franklin." 

These  extracts  serve  to  shew  that  La  Fayette  did 
not  serve  America  in  the  field  only,  but  that  he  was 
confidentially  and  actively  employed  on  his  return  to 
Paris,  in  the  cabinet  of  Versailles  to  promote  her  in- 
terests, and  hasten  the  conclusion  of  that  contest,  in 
which  he  had  gathered  unfading  laurels.     It  appears, 

*  Relating  to  a  previous  conference  with  Mr.  Grenville 
16 


i82  MEMOIRS  OF 


also,  from  Franklin's  Journal,  that  the  name  of  Lu 
Fayette  had  become  so  celebrated  in  Paris,  that  his 
national  enemies,  of  the  highest  standing,  were  glad  to 
gratify  their  curiosity  bv  having  an  introduction  to  a 
man  of  whom  they  had  heard  so  much. 

In  his  Journal,  Dr.  Franklin  mentions  that  he  went 
to  Paris  to  see  Mr.  Oswald,  the  British  commissioner. 
•'  1  told  him,"  says  he,  "  that  the  Marquis  de  La  Fay 
ette  would  breakfast  with  me  to-morrow,  and  as  he, 
Mr.  Oswald,  might  have  some  curiosity  to  see  a  per- 
son who  had,  in  this  war,  rendered  himself  so  eminent- 
ly distinguished,  I  proposed  that  he  should  do  me  the 
same  honour.  To  this  he  cheerfully  agreed."  This 
was  soon  after  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Oswald  in  Paris. 

The  honourable  and  tender  regard  which  La  Fay 
ette  had  for  the  feelings  of  his  fellow  soldiers  in  Arner 
ica,  as  well  as  his  nice  regard  for  truth,  was  finally  dis- 
played on  the  following  occasion. — 

In  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  printed  correspondence  on 
the  American  war,  there  was  a  sentence  pin  porting  to 
come  from  La  Fayette,  the  meaning  of  which  was, 
that  the  American  militia  were  worth  nothing  in  the 
field.  The  Marquis,  on  seeing  it,  immediately  wrote 
to  Sir  Henry  as  follows  : 

"  Pari*,  April  9,  1733. 

"  Sir — Upon  a  perusal  of  your  printed  correspond- 
ence, I  must  beg  leave  to  trouble  you  with  an  observ- 
ation ;  not  that  I  have  claims  to  set  forth,  or  relations 

to  criticise.     A  sentence  in  your  letter  of is  the 

only  one  I  intend  to  mention  :  "  Having  said  to  lord 
Cornwallis,  that  he  may  be  opposed  by  about  2000 
continentals,  and  as  La  Fayette  observes,  a  body  of 
ill  armed  militia,"  you  are  pleased  to  add,  "  as  spir- 
itless as  the  militia  of  the  southern  provinces,  and 
without  any  service  ;"  which  read  as  if  it  was  a  part 
qf  my  letter.  How  far  your  description  is  undeserv- 
ing, I  think  experience  has  proved  ;  and  that  it  came 
from  me,  no  American  will  believe*     But  your  cor- 


LA  FAYETTE.  I  bo 


respondence  is  so  public,  that,  with  full  reliance  on 
your  candour  and  politeness,  I  have  taken  the  liberty 
to  transcribe  the  passage,  and  to  return  it  to  you,  Sir. 
as  its  true  author.     At  the  same  time,  permit  mc,  &c. 

"LA  FAYETTE." 

To  this,  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with   very   honourable 
feelings,  made  the  following  reply. 

London,  May  29,  1783. 
"  Sir, 
';  In  consequence  of  the  Letter  you  have  done  me 
the  honour  to  write  me,  I  have  read  over  the  publi- 
cation in  question  ;  and  I  confess  the  remark  alluded 
to,  from  the  manner  in  which  it  is  introduced,  appeals 
to  make  a  part  of  your  letter.  You  have  certainly. 
Sir,  a  right  to  this  acknowledgment,  and  permit  me  a* 
the  simc  time  to  add,  the  assurance,  &c. 

H.  CLINTON. 


184  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  VII. 

VISIT  OF  LA  FAYETTE    TO    AMERICA,  IN   1784. 

After  the  peace  had  been  settled  between  the 
United  States  and  Great  Britain,  General  La  "Fayette 
again  visited  America.  He  arrived  in  the  summer  of 
1784,  and  came  for  the  friendly  purposes  of  enjoying 
the  peaceful  society  of  his  brave  companions  in  arms, 
and  to  see  the  prosperity  of  a  nation  in  which  he  de- 
lighted, and  in  whose  defence  he  had  so  often  hazarded 
his  life. 

The  day  after  his  arrival,  he  was  invited  to  a  public 
dinner,  on  which  occasion  the  officers  who  had  served 
in  the  late  war,  appeared  in  full  military  uniform. 
This  being  the  first  repast  Gen.  La  Fayette  had  ever 
partaken  in  the  United  States,  as  a  free  and  indepen- 
dent nation,  it  could  not  but  have  been  an  occasion  on 
which  the  contrast  between  the  horrors  of  war,  and 
sweets  of  peace,  and  pride  of  independence,  was  most 
sensibly  felt  and  appreciated. 

After  remaining  a  short  time  in  New- York,  he  went 
to  Philadelphia,  where  he  met  with  the  same  warm 
reception.  The  officers  of  the  army  and  militia,  to- 
gether with  the  most  respectable  citizens,  came  in  a 
body  to  meet  him.  They  escorted  him  to  the  Gover 
nour's  house,  and  from  thence  to  the  house  prepared 
foi  his  lodgings.  In  the  evening  every  house  in  the 
city  was  illuminated. 

"  The  next  day,  Generals  St.  Clair,  Wayne,  and 
Irvine,  were  appointed  a  committee  from  the  corps  of 
officers,,  to  wait  on  La  Fayette  with  the  congratula- 
tions of  the  inhabitants  of  Pennsylvania.1''     It  was  not 


*  On  that  occasion  the  following  address  was  delivered 
;'  \V>,  the  officers  of  the  Pennsylvania  line,  deeply  ins 


LA  FAYETTE.  185 


his  friends  and  acquaintance  alone,  who  thus  expres- 
sed their  heartfelt  happiness  at  his  return.     The  legis- 

pressed  with  a  grateful  remembrance  of  your  zeal  and  ac- 
tivity in  the  cause  of  our  country,  beg  leave  to  welcome 
your  return  to  this  city. 

"  We  very  sensibly  feel  all  the  warmth  of  affection  ari- 
sing from  the  intercourse  of  the  field;  and  while  we  look 
back  on  the  scenes  of  distress  freedom  had  to  encounter, 
we  can  never  forget,  that,  when  destitute  of  foreign  friends, 
you  generously  stepped  forth,  the  advocate  of  our  rights. 
The  noble  example  you  gave,  by  early  bleeding  in  out- 
infant  cause,  impresses  us  with  an  idea  of  your  zeal  and 
patriotism.  A  recollection  of  the  fortitude  and  patience 
with  which  you  have  since  encountered  every  difficulty, 
consequent  to  the  situation  in  which  you  had  to  act,  and 
particularly  during  that  important  crisis  wherein  you  were 
called  to  the  chief  command  in  Virginia,  endears  you  to  us 
as  a  soldier  ;  and  while  we  mingle  with  the  class  of  citi- 
zens, we  can  never  forget  the  influence  your  conduct  had 
in  leading  us  to  the  liberty  and  independence  we  now  en- 
joy. 

"  We  have  the  honour  to  be, 
With  the  most  perfect  esteem, 
Your  very  obedient  servants, 
In  behalf  of  the  Line, 

Arthur  St.  Clau- 
Anthony  Wayne, 
William  Irvine. 
Major  General  the  Marquis  de  La  Fayette. 
Philadelphia,  August  10.  1784. 

To  this,  La  Fayette  replied  as  follows  : 

"  Gentlemen, 
"  In  the  wished  for  meeting  with  my  dear  brother  of 
ficers,  in  your  so  kind  reception,  and  most  obliging  ad 
dress,  I  am  more  happily,  more  deeply  affected,  than 
words  can  express  :  but  my  heart  has  long  been  open  Is 
you,  gentlemen,  and  from  the  value  it  has,  by  your  es' 
teem  and  friendship,  you  may  conceive  what,  on  this  occrf- 
16* 


186  MEMOIRS  OF 


lature  appointed  a  committee  composed  of  delegate? 
from  each  county,  who  presented  him  with  an  address, 
in  the  name  of  the  legislature,  a  part  of  which  is  a> 
follows  t*  "  The  representatives  of  the  freemen  of 
Pennsylvania,  offer  yos  their  sincerest  congratulations 
upon  your  happy  arrival  at  Philadelphia,  and  welcome 
you  in  the  name  of  the  state.  Enjoying  the  blessing^ 
of  liberty  und  peace,  we  contemplate  with  much  satis 
faction,  those  distinguished  persons,  who,  disregarding 
the  dangers  of  the  seas,  united  their  endeavours  with 
our  own,  to  aid  in  terminating  the  war.  Amongst 
these  illustrious  individuals,  we  rardt  you  the  chief. 
Your  example  and  your  zeal  have  animated  and  en- 
couraged our  own  citizens,  nor  did  you  leave  us  until 
we  had  attained  the  great  object- of  all  our  hopes." 
From  Philadelphia,  La  Fayette  proceeded  through 
Baltimore  to  Mount  Vernon,  the  seat  of  the  illustrious 
Washington,  where  he  spent  several  days  with  the 
man  he  most  venerated?  That  visit  must  be  remem- 
bered with  peculiar  interest  and  affection  by  La  Fay- 
ette. 

After  passing  through  most  of  the  principal  towns 
on  the  sea  board  of  the  United  States  at  the  south,  he 
casion,  mast  be  the  feelings  of  my  affection  and  gratitude. 
That  I  early  enlisted  with  you  in  the  cause  of  liberty, 
shall  be  the  pride  and  satisfaction  of  my  life.  But  while 
on  the  glorious  conclusion,  I  rejoice  with  those  to  whom  1 
had  the  honour  of  being  a  companion  in  gloomy  times,  let 
me  once  more  thank  you  for  the  peculiar  obligations, 
which,  either  as  a  commanding  officer  in  Virginia,  or  as  a 
brother  soldier  and  affectionate  friend,  ever  bind  me  to  the 
officers  of  the  Pennsylvania  Line. 
"  I  have  the  honour  to  be, 
Gentlemen, 

With  the  warmest  sentiments  of 
Esteem  and  respect, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

LA.  FAYETTE." 
>:  Holsteine 


LA  FAYETTE. 


arrived  at  Hartford,  Con.  in  the  early  part  of  October, 
lie  was  escorted  into  town  by  a  large  number  of  citi- 
zens, and  his  arrival  announced  by  the  discharge  of  ar- 
tillery. On  Tuesday  the  5th,  he  was  invited  to  a  pub- 
lic dinner  at  Bull's  tavern,  where  the  city  officers,  and 
a  number  of  other  gentlemen  waited  to  receive  and 
welcome  him.  On  this  occasion,  universal  joy  and 
satisfaction  were  diffused  by  the  presence  of  a  person- 
age so  dear  to  America. 

Before  dinner  the  following  address  was  made  by 
the  Mayor : 
«  Sir, 

"  The  Mayqf,  Alderman,  and  Common  Council, 
beg  leave  to  welcome  your  arrival  in  this  city,  which 
owes  its  birth  to  the  successful  toils  of  those  heroes, 
who  signalized  themselves  in  our  late  contest.  We 
esteem  ourselves  happy,  in  being  honoured  by  the 
presence  of  a  nobleman,  who  forsook  the  pleasures  of 
his  native  country,  risqued  his  life  and  fortune  in  the 
cause  of  liberty,  and  by  his  exertions,  both  in  the 
council  and  in  the  field,  so  gloriously  shared  our  toils, 
and  contributed  to  our  successes. 

"  And  while  we  express  our  gratitute  for  your  for- 
mer assistance,  permit  us  to  entertain  the  hope,  from 
the  contiuance  of  your  friendship,  that  the  same  hero 
who  aided  the  infant  exertions  of  our  country,  and 
whom  we  are  proud  to  claim  as  an  American  Gene- 
ral, may  still  promote  the  establishment  of  our  em- 
pire, and&e  the  means  of  continuing  to  us  the  favour 
of  that  nation  to  whose  assistance  we  are  so  greatly 
indebted  for  our  liberty  and  independence. 

u  Amid  the  pleasure  we  feel  on  your  arrival,  we  can- 
not but  regret,  that  your  visit  to  this  city,  as  well  a* 
your  tour  in  America,  is  likely  to  be  of  so  short  con- 
tinuance ;  yet  we  beg  leave  to  assure  you,  that  in  eve- 
ry place  you  will  be  attended  with  your  constant  wish- 
es for  your  happiness,  and  that  neither  ourselves  nor 
posterity  can  enjoy  the  blessings  you  have  contributed 


188  MEMOIRS  OF 


to  procure,  without  the  most  grateful  remembrance  of 
the  benefactor. 

"  With  sentiments  of  gratitude  and  respect. 
We  have  the  honour  to  be,  Sir, 
Your  most  obedient  servants, 
(Signed)  Tho's  Seymour,  Mayor. 

Major  General  the  Marquis  de  La  Fayette. 
To  this  address  La  Fayette  made  the  following  reply  : 

"  GENTLEiMEN, 

"  Among  the  many  enjoyments  this  visit  affords  me, 
I  am  happy  to  congratulate  you  upon  those  general 
blessings  and  private  advantages,  which,  as  a  reward 
of  virtuous  efforts  in  the  noblest  cause^have  attended 
the  rising  city  of  Hartford. 

"  From  your  too  flattering  expressions,  Gentlemen. 
I  most  gratefully  conceive  the  extent  of  your  friend- 
ship, so  far  overpassing  those  of  my  merits.  But  while 
J  delight  in  the  confidence  of  America,  I  am  sensible, 
in  a  measure,  of  deserving  it  by  the  warmth  of  my  af- 
fectionate, boundless  zeal  ;  and  need  not  add  what 
sense  I  have  of  that  alliance,  so  well  cemented  by  com- 
mon efforts,  common  triumphs,  and  a  reciprocal  es- 
teem, which  every  political  principle,  and  national 
sentiment,  cannot  fail,  on  both  parts,  most  happily  to 
cherish. 

"  My  stay  in  this  country,  gentlemen,  will  to  me 
ever  appear  too  short.  But  before  1  leave  it,  I  shail 
once  more  indulge  the  feelings  of  my  heart,  in  pre- 
senting you  personally  with  the  respectful  tribute  of 
my  gratitude,  and  my  ardent  wishes  for  the  prosperity 
of  this  city. 

"  With  the  highest  regard, 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Gentlemen, 
Your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

La  Fayette. 

From  Hartford,  the  Marquis  de  La  Fayette  pro- 
ceeded to  Boston,  and  was  met  at  Watertown  by 
the  officers  of  the  Massachusetts  line  of  (he  army, 
where  he  was  addressed  by  Major  General  Henry 


LA  FAYETTE.  180 


Knox,*  in  a  manner  appropriate  to  the   occasion,  and 
a  public  dinner  was  given  him,  at  which  the  civil  ma- 

*  Address  of  Gen.  Knox  to  Gen.  La  Fayette,  at  Water- 
town,  Oct.  1784. 

"  We  the  late  officers  of  the  Massachusetts  line  of  the 
continental  army,  embrace  the  first  moment  of  your  arri- 
val, to  welcome  you  with  all  the  sincerity  and  ardor  of  fra- 
ternal affection  :  an  affection  commenced  in  the  dark  hour 
of  our  conflict,  elevated  and  perfected  through  the  suc- 
cessive vicissitudes  of  the  war. 

"  We  beg  leave  to  observe,  that  we  have  had  repeated 
occasions  to  witness  the  display  of  your  military  talents, 
and  of  joining  in  the  approbation  and  applause  which  our 
beloved  Commander  in  Chief,  so  often  expressed  of  your 
conduct.  We  are  deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the 
various  and  important  services  you  have  rendered  our 
country  ;  and  it  will  be  the  pride  of  some  patriotic  and 
enlightened  historian,  to  enumerate  your  actions  in  the 
field,  and  to  illustrate  your  incessant  efforts  to  promote  the 
happiness  of  the  United  States. 

"  We  shall  ever  retain  a  lively  gratitude  for  the  inter- 
position of  your  august  sovereign  and  nation,  at  a  time 
when  America  was  oppressed  by  a  formidable  enemy.  By 
his  influence  and  the  powerful  assistance  afforded  by  his 
land  and  naval  force,  the  war  has  been  happily  termina- 
ted, and  the  independence  of  the  United  States  firmly  es- 
tablished, at  a  period  much  earlier  than  the  most  sanguim 
patriot  could  have  expected. 

u  A  mind  like  yours,  ennobled  by  a  generous  attachment 
(o  the  rights  of  mankind,  must  enjoy  the  highest  pleasure 
in  viewing  the  people,  to  whose  cause  you  so  zealouslv 
devoted  yourself,  in  full  possession  of  that  peace,  liberty 
and  safety,  which  were  the  great  objects  of  their  pursuit. 

"  Animated  by  virtue  and  the  auspices  of  your  own 
fame,  may  you  go  on  to  add  to  the  splendour  of  your  char- 
acter, and  heighten  the  glory  of  your  country,  by  placing  the 
name  of  La  Fayette  on  the  same  list  with  Conde,  Turennr. 
ind  her  other  immortal  heroes. 

In  behalf  of  the  officers  of  the  Massachusetts  line. 

H.  KNOX,' 


190  MEMOIRS  OF 


gistrates,  the   Governour  and  council,  as  well  as  the 
officers  of  the  late  army  were  present.* 

The  Massachusetts  legislature  being  then  in  session. 
it  was  voted  that  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  be  invited 
by  the  President  of  the  Senate,  and  the  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  together  with  the  supreme 
Executive,  to  meet  the  two  Houses  of  Assembly  in  the 
Senate  Room,  "to  congratulate  him  on  his  safe  arri- 
val in  the   United  States,  after  the  final  establishment 


General  La  Fayette's  Reply. 

u  From  the  instant  of  our  parting,  Gentlemen,  I  have 
been  eagerly  looking  forward  to  this  period.  How  far  my 
pleasure  is  completed  by  your  kind  welcome,  I  leave,  ray 
beloved  friends,  your  own  hearts  to  determine. 

"  While  your  affection  and  confidence  ever  made  me 
happy,  let  me  gratefully  acknowledge,  that  for  the  mark*? 
of  our  beloved  General's  approbation,  I  felt  myself  wholly 
obliged  to  the  gallant  troops  I  commanded.'  Could  my 
conduct,  in  any  degree  justify  your  partiality,  it  will  be 
the  pride  of  my  heart  to  think  the  American  was  my 
school,  every  one  of  you  my  brothers,  and  that  I  was 
adopted  as  a  disciple  and  son,  by  our  immortal  Commander 
in  Chief. 

u  In  the  interposition  of  my  Sovereign  and  nation,  I  en- 
joyed more  than  I  could  express  ;  every  French  citizen 
felt  with  a  patriotic  king  in  this  happy  alliance  ;  and  from 
those  troops  who  shared  in  our  dangers,  you  meet  with  a 
peculiar  regard  and  attachment. 

"  During  my  absence,  gentlemen,  my  heart  has  been 
constantly  with  you.  As  an  army  we  are  separated.  But 
forever,  I  hope  shall  unite  in  brotherly  affection ;  and 
now  that  a  glorious  peace  has  terminated  your  labors,  I 
rejoice  to  find  your  attachment  to  those  principles  for 
which  you  have  conquered,  ranks  you  among  the  most 
virtuous  citizens  of  the  Commonwealth. 

LA  FAYETTE." 


*  Boston  Memoirs  of  La  Fayette. 


LA  FAYETTE.  191 


of  peace,  to  which  his  friendly  influence   in   Europe 
had  largely  contributed."* 

A  dinner  was  also  given  him  at  Faneuil  Hall  by  the 
citizens,  at  which  were  present  the  Governour  and 
Council,  the  Clergy,  seventy-five  officers  of  the  late 
continental  army,  and  other  distinguished  persons. 
When  General  Washington's  name  was  given  for  a 
toast,  La  Feyette  rose  from  his  seat,  and  with  a  tear 
starting  in  his  eye,  began  the  applause,  which  was  con- 
tinued, and  repeated  again  and  again,  by  the  com- 
pany.! 

in  December,  1784,  La  Fayette  prepared  for  his 
return  to  France.  But  before  he  sailed,  he  addresed 
a  note  to  Congress,  then  in  session,  expressing  a  wish 
(o  take  a  respectful  leave  of  that  body  before  his  final 
departure  from  his  adopted  country. 

A  committee  was  accordingly  appointed  by  Con- 
gress to  act  upon  La  Fayette's  letter,  who  reported, 
••  That  the  merit  and  services  of  General  La  Fay- 
ette, render  it  proper  that  such  opportunity  of  taking 
leave  of  Congress  be  aiTorded,  as  may  strongly  mani- 
fest their  esteem  and  regard  for  him." 

Upon  this  Report;  Congress  passed  the  following 
resolution  : 

••  Resolved,  That  a  committee  to  consist  of  a  mem- 
ber from  each  state,  be  appointed  to  receive  the  Mar- 
quis, and  in  the  name  of  Congress  to  take  leave  of  him. 
That  they  be  instructed  to  assure  him  that  Congress 
continue  to  entertain  the  same  high  sense  of  his  abili- 
ties and  zeal  to  promote  the  welfare  of  America,  both 
here  and  in  Europe,  which  they  have  frequently  ex- 
pressed and  manifested  on  former  occasions,  and 
which  the  recent  marks  of  his  attention  to  their  com- 
mercial and  other  interests,  have  perfectly  confirmed. 
That  as  his  uniform  and  unceasing  attachment  to  this 

*  Boston  Memoirs  of  La  Fayette. 
v  lb. 


192  MEMOIRS  OF 


country  has  resembled  that  of  a  patriotic  citizen,  the 
United  States  regard  him  with  particular  affection, 
and  will  not  cease  to  feel  an  interest  in  whatever  may 
concern  his  honour  and  prosperity,  and  that  their  best 
and  kindest  wishes  will  always  attend  him. 

u  Resolved,"  also,  "  That  a  letter  be  written  to  his 
Most  Christian  Majesty,  and  signed  by  the  President 
of  Congress,  expressive  of  the  high  sense  which  the 
United  States  entertain  of  the  real  talents  and  merito- 
rious services  of  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  and  re- 
commending him  to  the  particnlar  favour  and  patron- 
age of  his  Majesty."* 

Agreeable  to  the  above  resolutions,  the  committee, 
consisting  of  a  member  from  each  state,  assembled  in 
Congress  hall,  where  the  Marquis  was  received,  the 
resolves  of  Congress  communicated  to  him.  and  each 
member  took  leave  of  him  in  turn. 

To  these  proceedings,  the  General  replied  : — 

"While  it  pleases  the  Congress  of  the  United  States 
so  kindly  to  receive  me,  I  want  words  to  express  the 
feelings  of  a  heart  which  delights  in  their  present  situ- 
ation, and  in  the  public  marks  of  their  esteem. 

u  Since  I  joined  the  standard  of  liberty,  to  this  wish- 
ed for  hour  of  my  personal  congratulations,  I  have 
seen  such  glorious  deeds  performed,  and  virtues  dis- 
played by  the  sons  of  America,  that  in  the  instant  of 
my  first  concern  for  them,  I  had  anticipated  but  a  part 
ef  the  love  and  regard  which  devote  me  to  this  rising 
empire. 

"During  our  revolution,  I  obtained  an  unlimited, 
indulgent  confidence,  which  1  am  equally  proud  and 
happy  to  acknowledge  ;  it  dates  with  the  time,  when. 
an  inexperienced  youth,  I  could  only  claim  of  my  res- 
pected friends,  a  paternal  adoption.  It  has  been 
most  benevolently  continued  throughout  every  circum- 
stance of  the  cabinet  and   the  field  ;  and  in  personal 

*  Journal  of  Congress,  for  Dec.  1 784. 


LA  FAYETTE.  133 


friendships,  I  have  often  found  a  support  against  per- 
sonal difficulties.  While  on  this  solemn  occasion,  1 
mention  my  obligations  to  Congress,  the  states,  and  the 
people  at  large,  permit  me  to  remember  my  dear  mili- 
tary companions,  to  whose  services  their  country  is  so 
much  indebted. 

"  Having  felt  both  for  the  timely  aid  of  my  country, 
and  for  the  part  she,  with  a  beloved  king,  acted  in  the 
cause  of  mankind,  I  enjoy  an  alliance  so  well  riveted 
by  mutual  affection,  by  interest,  and  even  local  situa- 
tion. Recollection  ensures  it.  Futurity  does  but  en- 
large the  prospect  ;  and  (he  private  intercourse  will 
every  day  increase,  which  independent  and  advanta- 
geous trade  cherishes,  in  proportion  as  it  is  justly  un- 
derstood. 

"  In  unbounded  wishes  to  America,  I  am  happy  to 
observe  the  prevailing  disposition  of  the  people  to 
strengthen  the  confederation,  preserve  public  faith, 
regulate  trade  ;  and,  in  a  proper  guard  over  continen- 
tal magazines,  and  frontier  posts,  in  a  general  system 
of  militia,  in  foreseeing  attention  to  the  navy,  to  ensure 
every  kind  of  safety.  May  this  immense  temple  of 
freedom  ever  stand,  a  lesson  to  oppressors,  an  example 
to  the  oppressed,  a  sanctuary  for  the  rights  of  man- 
kind. And  may  these  happy  United  States  attain  that 
complete  splendor  and  prosperity,  which  will  illustrate 
the  blessings  of  this  government,  and  forages  to  come, 
rejoice  the  departed  souls  of  its  founders. 

"  However  unwilling  to  trespass  on  your  time,  I 
must  yet  present  you  with  my  grateful  thanks  for  the 
late  favours  of  Congress  ;  and  never  can  they  oblige 
me  so  much,  as  when  they  put  it  in  my  power,  in  every 
part  of  the  world,  and  to  the  latest  day  of  my  life,  to 
gratify  the  attachment,  which  will  ever  rank  me  among 
the  most  zealous  and  respectful  servants  of  the  United 
States. 

With  the  highest  regard,  &c. 

La  Fayette." 
17 


194  MEMOIRS  OF 


At  Annapolis,  La  Fayette  received  the  last  paternal 
benediction  of  Washington,*  and  having  passed  through 
Philadelphia,  he  arrived  in  New  York,  where  a  United 
States'  frigate  waited  to  convey  him  to  his  native  coun- 
try. On  his  departure,  a  crowd  of  all  ranks  assem- 
bled to  take  leave  of  him,  and  to  catch  the  last  sight 
of  a  foreigner,  who  had  fought  and  bled  for  the  freedom 
ihey  enjoyed.  As  the  ship  got  under  way,  thirteen 
cannon  from  the  battery,  announced  the  number  of 
states  he  had  assisted  to  emancipate. 

Soon  after  his  return  to  France,  the  Legislature  of 
Virginia,  which  state  had  peculiar  reasons  for  remem- 
bering him  with  affection,  passed  a  resolution  to  place 
the  bust  of  La  Fayette  in  their  Capitol  at  Richmond. 
The  Legislature,  at  the  same  time,  passed  another  re- 
solution, requesting  the  Municipality  of  Paris,  through 
Mr.  Jefferson,  our  Envoy  there,  to  permit  a  similar 
bust  of  La  Fayette  to  be  erected  in  that  city. 

On  this  request  from  Virginia,  Mr.  Jefferson  wrote 
to  the  Municipality  of  Paris  as  follows  : 

"  The  Legislature  of  Virginia,  in  consideration  of 
the  services  of  Major  General  the  Marquis  de  la  Fay- 
ette, has  resolved  to  place  his  bust  in  their  Capitol. 
This  intention  of  erecting  a  monument  to  his  virtues, 
«nd  to  the  sentiments  with  which  he  has  inspired  them, 
in  the  country  to  which  they  are  indebted  for  his 
1)irth,  was  induced  by  a  hope  that  the  city  of  Paris 
would  consent  to  become  the  depository  of  a  second 
proof  of  their  gratitude.  Charged  by  the  state  with 
the  execution  of  this  resolution,  I  have  the  honour  to 
solicit  the  Prevot  des  Marchands,  and  Municipality  of 
Paris,  to  accept  the  bust  of  this  brave  officer,  and  to 
give  it  a  situation,  where  it  may  continually  awaken 
the  admiration,  and  witness  the  respect  of  the  allies  of 
France. 

"  September  17th,  1786." 


*  Holstein. 


LAFAYETTE.  195 


In  consequence  of  this  letter,  the  Baron  de  Breteuil, 
Minister  and  Secretary  of  State  for  the  department  of 
Paris,  wrote  to  the  Prevot,  &c.  that  the  King,  to  whom 
had  been  submitted  the  proposition,  approved  of  the 
bust's  being  erected  in  the  city.  Accordingly,  the 
council  assembled  on  the  28th  of  September,  and  Mr. 
Short,  an  old  member  of  the  council  of  the  state  of 
Virginia,  (Mr.  Jefferson  being  confined  by  indisposi- 
tion,) came  to  the  City  Hall  of  Paris,  to  present  the 
bust,  executed  by  Mr.  Houdon,  and  to  read  the  letter 
addressed  to  the  Prevot,  by  Mr.  Jefferson,  as  also  the 
resolutions  of  the  State  of  Virginia.  M.  Pelletier  de 
Morfontaine,  Counsellor  of  State,  and  Prevot  des  Mar- 
chands,  having  opened  the  meeting,  by  stating  its  ob- 
ject, handed  to  M.  Veytard,  the  chief  clerk,  all  the 
documents  he  possessed,  to  read,  after  which,  M.  Ethit 
de  Corny,  Attorney  General,  and  Knight  of  the  order 
of  Cincinnatus,  delivered  an  address,  in  which  he  re- 
counted, in  an  interesting  and  impressive  manner,  La 
Fayette's  services  in  North  America,  the  confidence  of 
the  army  in  him,  and  the  attachment  of  the  people  to 
him.  In  his  capacity  of  Attorney  General,  he  then 
gave  the  requisite  instructions  for  the  reception  of  the 
bust,  agreeably  to  the  wishes  of  the  King.  It  was  ac- 
cordingly placed  in  one  of  the  galleries  of  the  City 
Hall.*  This  novel  and  interesting  ceremony  was 
witnessed  by  an  immense  number  of  spectators,  on 
whom  it  produced  the  most  salutary  and  affecting  im 
pressions. 

*  Holstein. 


196  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION. — LA  FAYETTE  APPOINTED  COMMAN- 
DER IN  CHIEF  OF  THE  NATIONAL  GUARDS. — HIS  FLIGHT  AND 
IMPRISONMENT,  &C. 

The  part  of  La  Fayette,  in  the  eventful  revolution 
of  France,  and  his  motives  for  engaging  in  it,  can  be 
distinctly  understood,  only  by  a  recollection  of  the 
state  of  that  nation  about  the  period  of  his  arrival 
there  from  America.  This  chapter  will  therefore  be- 
gin by  recounting  some  of  the  principal  political  events 
which  led  to  the  revolution. 

In  1774,  Louis  XVI.  when  but  twenty  years  of  age, 
succeeded  his  grandfather,  and  mounted  the  throne  of 
France.  One  of  his  first  measures  was,  to  remove 
those  from  office,  who,  by  their  errors  or  misconduct, 
had  become  unpopular,  and  to  replace  them  by  men  of 
talents  and  honesty.  He  likewise  gave  great  satisfac- 
tion by  suppressing  the  new,  and  calling  the  old  Par- 
liament. At  the  same  time,  he  declared  his  intention, 
not  to  submit  to  any  power  in  this  Parliament,  which 
should  in  any  degree  curtail  the  authority  of  the  crown. 

At  this  time,  the  state  of  the  finances  was  such,  as 
to  require  great  care  and  economy  in  their  manage- 
ment ;  and  for  this  purpose,  the  celebrated  M.  Turgot 
was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  financial  department. 
His  measure  of  rendering  the  internal  commerce  in 
grain,  and  its  exportation  free  and  unrestricted,  was 
the  occasion  of  a  great  scarcity  of  corn.  The  tran- 
quillity of  the  country,  as  well  as  of  Paris  was  so  much 
disturbed  in  consequence,  that  Louis  found  it  necessa- 
ry to  have  recourse  to  strong  measures  ;  and  a  milita* 
ry  body,  dependent  on  the  police,  were  called  out, 
and  ordered  to  disperse  the  multitude,  and  to  execute 
summary  justice  on  the  most  guilty. 


•  •■'■■■1.'        '#si& ''* 


« 


V". 


ir/Kt/hr//, 


LA  FAYETTE.  197 


After  the  suppression  of  these  disorders,  Louis,  in 
order  to  draw  off  the  minds  of  his  subjects  from  the 
recollection  of  them,  and  the  harsh  treatment  by  which 
they  had  been  quelled,  resolved  to  celebrate  his  coro- 
nation with  great  magnificence  at  Rheims  ;  and  to 
prove  that  the  measures  he  had  been  lately  compelled 
to  adopt,  were  not  the  result  of  a  tyrannical  disposi- 
tion, he  issued  an  edict,  which  in  future  sentenced  de- 
serters from  the  army  to  work  on  the  public  road,  in- 
stead of  punishing  them  with  death,  as  formerly.  He 
alsoreduced  the  regulararmy,and  introduced  thestrict- 
est  economy  into  all  the  departments  of  government. 

Still  the  finances  of  France  were  in  a  miserable  con- 
dition, and  M.  Turgot,  not  possessing  the  confidence 
of  the  public,  resigned  his  place,  and  was  succeeded 
by  the  celebrated  M.  Neckar.  Such  was  the  confi- 
dence placed  in  Neckar,  that  the  entire  management 
of  the  funds  and  revenue  of  France,  was  submitted  to 
him,  with  the  title  of  Director  General  of  the  finan- 
ces. 

About  this  time,  Mr.  Silas  Deane  and  Dr.  Franklin 
were  sent  to  Paris,  as  commissioners  from  the  colonies 
of  America.  Here  they  exerted,  secretly,  their  influ- 
ence with  the  leading  men  in  the  French  cabinet ;  and 
though,  in  a  public  capacity,  they  were  not  admitted 
to  an  audience,  yet  they  received  sufficient  encourage- 
ment to  hope  that,  ultimately,  their  country  would  re- 
ceive aid,  in  its  struggle  for  independence,  from  the 
arms  of  France. 

French  officers  and  engineers, 'with  the  connivance 
of  government,  entered  into  the  service  of  America. 
These  circumstances  excited  the  suspicions  of  the  Bri- 
tish court ;  but  no  remonstrance  was  presented,  until 
warlike  preparations  were  carried  on  to  such  an  ex- 
tent, as  to  leave  no  doubt  that  France  was  on  the  eve 
of  hostilities  with  one  power  or  the  other.  The  Bri- 
tish ambassador  at  Paris  then  questioned  the  French 
minister  on  this  subject,  *who  replied,  that  when  the 

17* 


198  MEMOIRS  OF 


seas  were  covered  with  English  and  American  ships  of 
war,  and  when  large  armies  were  sent  to  America,  it 
became  prudent  for  France  to  arm  for  the  defence  of 
her  colonies,  and  protection  of  her  commerce. 

The  French  cabinet,  however,  waited  until  the  suc- 
cess of  the  Americans  had  nearly  determined  their 
power  to  maintain  their  declaration  of  Independence, 
before  any  authorized  act  shewed  the.  destination  of 
these  warlike  preparations. 

On  the  news  of'the  capture  of  Burgoyne  and  his  ar- 
my, all  pretentions  to  neutrality  were  dismissed,  and 
the  Independence  of  the  United  States  was  openly  ac- 
knowledged by  the  Court  of  France,  and  Dr.  Franklin 
and  Mr.  Deane  were  received  as  public  Ambassadors. 
A  treaty  of  commerce  and  alliance  was  signed  between 
the  two  powers,  in  February,  1778.  The  recal  of  the 
English  ambassador  from  Paris,  was  the  signal  for  the 
commencement  of  hostilities. 

M.  Neckar  still  continued  at  the  head  of  the  finan- 
ces, and  endeavoured  to  render  the  pressure  of  the 
war  as  light  as  possible,  by  plans  of  economy  and  re- 
trenchment ;  unnecessary  offices  in  the  household  of 
the  king  and  queen  were  abolished,  and  other  impor- 
tant regulations  adopted  for  the  benefit  of  the  kingdom. 
At  the  same  time,  the  diplomatic  skill  and  experience 
of  the  different  French  ambassadors  at  the  courts  of 
Europe,  were  successfully  exercised  in  rousing  them, 
either  directly  or  indirectly,  to  take  advantage  of  the 
present  circumstances,  and  crush,  or  at  least  weaken, 
the  naval  power  of  Great  Britain.  As  a  long  and  in- 
timate connexion  had  subsisted  between  the  courts  of 
St.  Petersburg  and  London,  the  French  ambassador 
at  the  former  place  was  instructed  to  conciliate  the  in- 
clinations of  the  Empress  ;  and  he  conducted  himself 
so  adroitly,  as  to  be  very  instrumental  in  persuading 
her  to  place  herself  at  the  head  of  the  northeru  con- 
federacy. 

Towards  the  close  of  1780,  M,  Sartine  was  remov- 


LA  FAYETTE.  199 


ed  from  the  marine  department,  which  he  had  super- 
intended for  five  years.  His  great  and  leading  object 
had  been,  during  the  whole  time,  to  place  the  French 
navy  upon  the  most  extensive  and  efficient  footing ; 
and  he  had  succeeded  in  raising  her  naval  power  to  an 
unprecedented  height ;  but  his  measures  for  this  pur- 
pose necessarily  required  the  expenditure  of  very 
large  sums  of  money,  at  a  time  when  the  finances  of 
the  nation  loudly  called  for  economy  and  retrench- 
ment. Hence  he  became  unpopular,  was  removed 
from  office,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Marquis  de 
Castries. 

The  disposition  of  Louis,  naturally  humane,  was 
most  honourably  displayed  this  year,  (1780,)  by  the 
abolition  of  the  practice  of  putting  the  question  by  tor- 
ture ;  and  his  desire  to  relieve  his  subjects  as  much  as 
possible  from  the  pressure  of  taxes,  was  evinced  by  the 
further  diminution  of  his  own  expenditure,  and  by  his 
dismissing,  at  once,  four  hundred  and  six  officers  be- 
longing to  his  court. 

Neckar  continued  to  be  uncommonly  active  and 
faithful  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  important 
and  arduous  situation.  But  he  conceived  that  it 
would  not  be  impracticable  to  maintain  the  war  by 
loans  to  government,  without  additional  taxes.  Unfor- 
tunately for  this  scheme,  capital  was  far  from  being 
abundant  in  France.  The  preparations  which  were 
making  to  aid  the  Americans  alone,  required  great 
sums  of  money,  and  it  was  seen  that  France  must  also 
prepare  to  defend  herself  against  the  powers  of  Eu- 
rope. Such  sums,  it  was  found,  could  not  be  raised 
by  loans,  particularly  at  a  period,  when  the  situation 
and  nature  of  the  government  did  not  inspire  the  ut- 
most confidence.  M.  Neckar's  plan,  although  under 
other  circumstances  it  would  have  been  the  most  pop- 
ular that  could  have  been  adopted,  as  avoiding  direct 
taxation,  was  found  impracticable.  Other  causes,  al- 
so, conspired  to  make  him  unpopular.     His  temper 


200  MEMOIRS  OF 


was  austere  and  unaccommodating,  and  the  reforms  and 
retrenchments  which  he  had  introduced  into  the  vari- 
ous departments  of  the  king's  household,  were  repre- 
sented as  derogatory  to  the  dignity  and  splendour  of 
the  crown.  These  were  excuses  for  popular  clamour 
against  him,  and  he  was  dismissed  from  office  towards 
the  close  of  1781.  He  was  succeeded  by  M.  de  Joli 
Fleury. 

The  dismission  of  Neckar  was  by  no  means  satisfac- 
tory, either  to  the  king,  or  t  o  the  majority  of  the  peo- 
ple. Nor  was  the  mode  of  raising  money  adopted  by 
M.  Fleury,  that  of  taxation,  at  all  popular.  The  min- 
istry, however,  in  order  to  multiply  the  resources  of 
government  without  pushing  taxation  to  a  dangerous 
extent,  endeavoured  to  kindle  in  Paris,  and  throughout 
France,  such  a  degree  of  enthusiasm  as  would  produce 
voluntary  contributions  towards  carrying  on  the  war. 
In  this  they  were  not  without  success.  Several  of  the 
departments  displayed  their  zeal  by  building  and  fit- 
ting out  ships  of  war,  and  the  clergy  came  forward 
with  a  free  gift  to  the  treasury  of  fifteen  millions  of  li- 
vres.  They  also  offered  another  million,  to  be  applied 
to  the  support  of  wounded  seamen,  and  the  widows  and 
orphans  of  those  who  had  been  killed  in  the  various 
naval  engagements. 

Although  the  preparations  for  war,  in  1783,  were 
very  great,  yet  Louis  being  disposed  to  peace,  the 
mediation  of  the  Emperor  of  Germany,  and  the  Em- 
press of  Russia,  together  with  the  triumph  of  the  A- 
merican  and  French  arms  over  the  British  in  the  Uni- 
ted States,  operated  to  bring  all  the  contending  pow- 
ers to  terms  of  pacification,  and  articles  of  amity  and 
commerce  between  England,  France  and  America, 
were  signed  at  Paris,  on  the  20th  of  January,  1783. 

The  joy  created  in  France  by  the  termination  of 
the  war,  in  which  her  arms  had  been  so  successful, 
and  in  which  the  power  of  Great  Britain  had  been  so 


LA  FAYETTE.  201 


greatly  weakened  by  the  loss  of  her  American  colonies, 
was  excessive. 

But  this  exultation  was  of  short  continuance. 
France,  it  was  true,  saw  the  mighty  power  of  her  ri- 
val abundantly  reduced,  but  in  effecting  this,  it  was 
found  she  had  reduced  her  finances  to  an  alarming  de- 
gree. The  state  of  the  treasury  grew  worse  daily, 
and  confidence  in  the  sureties  became  weaker  and 
weaker  every  time  a  new  loan  was  to  be  raised. 
Three  different  successors  to  M.  Neckar  had  in  vain 
attempted  to  remedy,  or  even  palliate  the  dreadful 
evil.  Sufficient  sums  for  the  exigencies  of  the  state 
could  not  be  raised  by  any  plan  heretofore  suggested. 
Government  had  to  refuse  the  payment  of  bills  drawn 
on  them  by  their  army  in  America.  Both  the  resour- 
ces and  the  credit  of  the  nation  were  exhausted.  The 
Caisse  d'Escompte  had  to  stop  payment,  and  this  was 
enough  to  create  general  and  excessive  alarm.  Their 
notes  having  hitherto  always  been  convertible  into 
specie,  at  the  option  of  the  holders,  had  circulated 
very  widely  ;  and  as  they  were  not  out  to  individuals 
at  this  period  to  a  larger  amount  than  usual,  or  than 
their  known  capital  authorised,  the  suspicion  was  cre- 
ated, that  they  had,  to  the  prejudice  of  the  holders  of 
their  notes,  and  contrary  to  their  own  interest,  as  well 
as  that  of  the  public  at  large,  loaned  government  the 
specie,  which  ought  exclusively,  to  have  been  devoted 
to  the  payment  of  their  notes.  It  now  became  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  government  to  interfere,  in  order, 
by  supporting  the  credit  of  this  bank,  to  restore  the 
public  confidence  in  it.  Four  edicts  were  therefore 
issued  with  this  view  :  by  these,  the  banks  of  Paris 
were  ordered  to  receive  the  notes  of  the  Caisse  d'Es- 
compte as  currency  ;  and  a  lottery,  with  a  stock  of 
one  million  sterling,  was  established,  the  tickets  of 
which  might  be  purchased  with  the  depreciated  notes. 

This  plan,  for  a  time,  raised  the  public  credit,  and 
Government  having  procured  money,  paid  the  Ameri* 


202  MEMOIRS  OF 


can  bills.  At  the  same  time,  the  stock  of  the  Caisse 
d'Escompte  rose  considerably  above  its  original  sub- 
scription. 

About  this  period,  viz.  in  1 784,  the  disputes  between 
the  Emperor  of  Germany  and  the  United  Provinces, 
respecting  the  barriers  and  strong  towns  in  the  Neth- 
erlands, excited  the  attention  and  jealousy  of  France. 
The  Emperor  extended  his  pretensions  as  far  as  the 
Scheldt,  and  the  Dutch,  foreseeing  the  probability  of 
hostilities,  implored  the  mediation  of  the  king  of 
France  in  their  behalf. 

At  this  time  there  existed  two  parties  in  the  court  of 
Versailles.  At  the  head  of  one,  was  the  Count  de 
Vergennes,  the  favourite  of  Louis,  and,  like  him,  was 
mild,  humane,  and  a  friend  to  peace.  At  the  head  of 
the  other,  was  the  Marshal  de  Castries,  who  was  sup- 
ported by  the  Queen,  and,  like  her,  was  bold,  intri- 
guing, enterprising,  and  an  advocate  for  war. 

As  the  mediation  of  France  had  no  effect  on  the 
measures  of  the  Emperor  of  Germany,  and  the  Dutch 
saw  that  they  were  on  the  point  of  hostilities  with  him, 
they  importuned  the  King  of  France  for  a  general  to 
head  their  armies,  and  the  Count  de  Mallebois  was 
sent  to  them.  Count  de  Vergennes,  hitherto,  had 
opposed  any  hostile  or  violent  measures,  but  the  en- 
croachments of  the  Emperor  had  reconciled  him  to 
those  now  adopted.  At  the  same  time,  the  armies  of 
France  were  ordered  to  move  slowly  towards  the  Low 
Countries,  and  to  form  a  camp  at  Lans,  of  80,000  men. 
The  Queen  of  France,  though  ambitious  and  warlike, 
by  no  means  approved  of  these  hostile  indications  a- 
gainst  her  brother  the  Emperor,  and  tried  to  bring 
back  the  mind  of  de  Vergennes  to  its  habitual  modera- 
tion and  love  of  peace  ;  but  the  Count  could  not 
brook  the  idea,  that  the  honour,  or  interests  of  his 
country  should  be  sacrificed.  The  warlike  prepara- 
tions therefore  proceeded,  until  the  Emperor,  finding 
it  for  his  interest  to  accept  the  mediation  of  France, 


LA  FAYETTE.  203 


(he  difficulties  between  him  and  Holland  were  accom- 
modated, and  the  hostile  preparations  abandoned. 

The  internal  condition  of  France,  was,  however, 
every  day  becoming  more  alarming.  Mon.  de  Ca- 
lonne  was  now  at  the  head  of  her  finances,  and  had 
displayed  great  address  in  the  management  of  this  de- 
partment. But,  like  his  predecessors,  he  was  doomed 
to  become  unpopular.  In  1785,  he  established  a  new 
East  India  Company,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  funds 
for  Government.  This  measure  excited  violent  cen- 
sure. It  was  considered  a  monopoly,  oppressive  to 
the  merchants,  and  an  attempt,  on  the  part  of  Govern- 
ment, to  take  into  its  own  hands  the  business,  and 
means  of  the  people.  The  heads  of  other  depart- 
ments of  Government  did  not  escape  the  censure  of 
those  who  were  ever  ready  to  blame  want  of  success 
without  consideration  of  circumstances.  Men,  whose 
philosophy  had  never  been  reduced  to  practice,  did 
not  want  occasions  to  stir  up  popular  violence  against 
the  proceedings  of  the  constituted  authorities,  and 
the  popular  mind  had  become  so  discontented  and  ir- 
ritable, that  the  smallest  evil  was  the  occasion  of  bit- 
ter complaints  against  Government.  It  may  therefore 
well  be  conceived,  that  in  this  state  of  things,  an  edict, 
at  the  end  of  the  year  1 785,  for  registering  a  loan 
for  three  million  three  hundred  and  thirty-three  thou- 
sand pounds  sterling,  produced  the  most  violent  mur- 
murs. When  the  edict  was  presented  to  Parliament, 
they  selected  a  deputation  to  wait  on  the  King  with 
their  remonstrances ;  but  he  informed  them  that  he 
expected  to  be  instantly,  and  implicitly  obeyed. 

The  ceremony  of  registering  began  the  next  day, 
accompanied,  however,  by  a  resolution  of  parliament, 
that  public  economy  was  the  only  genuine  source  of 
abundant  revenue,  and  that  without  it  the  necessities 
of  the  state  could  not  be  supplied,  nor  public  credit 
and  confidence  restored.  This  resolution  was  highly 
displeasing  to  the  king,  and  he  ordered  the  records  of 


204  MEMOIRS  OF 


parliament  to  be  brought  to  him,  and  he  erased  the 
resolution  with  his  own  hand  ;  at  the  same  time  de- 
claring, that  he  expected  in  future  they  would  com- 
municate, in  a  loyal  and  respectful  manner,  whatever 
they  deemed  advantageous  to  the  nation. 

The  situation  of  France  was  such,  at  this  period, 
that  Calonne,  the  minister  of  finance,  saw  that  it 
would  be  necessary  to  convoke  one  of  the  great  coun- 
cils of  the  nation,  the  States  General,  or  the  Notables. 
Neither  of  these  assemblies  could  be  called  together, 
except  in  cases  where  the  country  was  in  imminent 
danger,  and  the  common  authorities  were  either  dis- 
obeyed, or  were  at  variance  with  each  other.  The 
States  General  had  not  met  since  the  year  1614. 
Thisassembly  consisted  of  deputies  chosen  by  the  three 
estates,  the  nobility,  the  clergy,  and  the  people  at 
large.  The  Notables  had  sometimes  been  substituted 
in  the  room  of  the  States  General,  and  was  preferred 
by  Calonne.  It  consisted  of  a  number  of  persons 
from  all  parts  of  the  kingdom,  chiefly  selected  from 
the  higher  orders  of  the  state  by  the  king  himself. 
This  mode  of  selection,  it  was  expected,  would  render 
the  power  delegated  to  them  perfectly  safe,  while 
their  deliberations  would  be  shorter,  and  more  easily 
managed  by  the  royal  influence.  At  that  juncture  it 
was  decided  to  convoke  the  assembly  of  Notables,  and 
writs  were  issued  for  calling  them  together  on  the 
29th  of  December,  1 736.  The  total  number  of  mem- 
bers was  144,  and  the  opening  of  the  assembly  was 
fixed  on  the  29th  of  January,  1787. 

The  rank  of  the  members  was  as  follows,  viz. — se- 
ven princes  of  the  blood  ;  nine  dukes  and  peers  of 
France;  eight  field  marshals;  twenty- two  nobles; 
eight  councillors  of  state  ;  four  masters  of  requests  ; 
eleven  arch-bishops  and  bishops ;  thirty-seven  heads 
of  the  law  ;  eleven  deputies  of  the  pays  cPetats,  the 
lieutenants  civil;  and  twenty-five  magistrates  of  the 
different  towns  in  France. 


LA  FAYETTE.  201 


When  the  day  of  the  meeting  came,  the  minister, 
Calonne,  was  not  prepared  ;  the  time  was  therefore 
postponed  to  the  7th  of  February  ;  but  before  this 
day,  Calonne  fell  sick,  and  the  Count  de  Vergennes 
died. 

At  length,  on  the  2-2d  of  February,  the  first  meeting 
of  the  Assembly  of  Notables  took  place,  and  Calonne 
laid  before  it  his  plan  for  re-establishing  the  finances, 
and  the  public  credit  of  the  kingdom,  which  he  pre- 
pared by  pointing  out  the  necessity  of  adopting  it,  or 
some  other.  The  minister's  plan  was  opposed,  and  his 
honesty  and  ability  were  severely  attacked,  chiefly  by 
Count  de  Mirabcau,  a  man  of  brilliant  talents,  but  of 
the  most  profligate  principles  and  conduct,  and  who 
was  resolved  that  if  he  could  effect  it,  his  country 
should  be  plunged  into  such  a  state  of  anarchy,  as 
would  give  him  opportunity  to  display  his  abilities. 

Calonne  finding  that  he'could  not  oppose  the  torrent 
of  unpopularity  which  was  increasing  against  him,  re- 
signed his  office  in  the  month  of  April,  and  retired  io 
England. 

The  Assembly  of  Notables  continued  their  sittings, 
but  it  was  evident  that  they  did  not  intend  to  assist 
the  king  in  extricating  himself  from  his  difficulties,  un- 
less they  were  recompensed  for  their  assistance  by  a 
compliance  to  their  demands,  on  the  part  of  his  Ma- 
jesty ;  and  it  was  equally  evident,  that  these  demands 
would  go  far  to  reduce  the  royal  authority.  Louis, 
however,  did  not  dare  to  recede,  and  dismiss  this  as- 
sembly, because  it  was  through  their  acts  alone  that 
he  saw  any  prospect  of  recruiting  the  finances  of  the 
kingdom.  He  appointed  the  Archbishop  of  Toulouse 
to  succeed  Calonne  as  minister  of  the  financial  de- 
partment, but  soon  found  that  he  had  gained  nothing 
by  the  change,  and  that  the  former  proposition  of  ter- 
ritorial impost,  was  now  the  only  means  of  raising  mo- 
ney which  he  could  devise.  To  this,  the  assembly- 
were  violently  opposed.  It  was  now  seen  by  the  No- 
18 


206  MEMOIRS  OF 


tables,  as  well  as  by  the  king,  that  the  state  was  in 
.-such  a  condition  as  to  place  their  sovereign  com- 
pletely in  their  power.  Louis  found  himself  perplex- 
ed and  embarrassed  on  every  side  ;  but  finding  that 
this  assembly  neither  had  afforded,  nor  intended  to  af- 
ford him  relief,  but  on  the  contrary  had  increased  his 
difficulties,  he  at  length  determined  to  dissolve  it.  It 
was  accordingly  dismissed,  and  royal  edicts  were  issu- 
ed for  raising  funds  for  the  exigencies  of  the  state. 
To  this  the  parliament  of  Paris  objected  in  a  most  pe- 
remptory manner.  The  king  in  his  turn  had  recourse 
to  compulsory  measures.  The  parliament  in  answer 
declared  that  the  first  person  who  should  attempt  to 
carry  the  edict  into  execution  should  be  punished  as  a 
traitor  to  his  country. 

At  this  crisis,  the  king  acted  with  unusual  decision 
and  vigour.  As  soon  as  the  discontents  and  opposi- 
tion of  the  Notables  began  to  wear  a  formidable  as- 
pect, large  bodies  of  trorops  were  gradually  brought 
into  Paris.  The  king  came  to  a  determination  to  dis- 
miss the  Parliament.  He  therefore  directed  some  of  the 
military  officers  to  signify  to  each  individual  member 
of  that  body,  that  it  was  the  king's  pleasure  that  he 
should  immediately  leave  Paris.  The  parliament, 
probably  forewarned,  or  apprehensive  of  this  mea- 
sure, had  previously  registered  their  opinion,  that  no 
permanent  tax  could  be  legally  imposed,  except  by 
the  authority  of  the  three  estates  of  the  kingdom,  the 
nobility,  the  clergy,  and  the  people. 

For  a  short  period,  Louis  endeavoured  to  proceed 
without  the  Parliament,  but  he  found  it  impossible. 
He  was  frugal  and  economical  in  his  habits  of  ex- 
penditure ;  but  the  savings,  thus  effected,  went  but  a 
little  way  towards  the  removal  of  his  financial  difficul- 
ties, while  they  failed  in  gaining  him  the  confidence 
and  approbation  of  his  subjects.  He  therefore  at  last 
recalled  the  Parliament,  and  a  kind  of  compromise 
took  place  between  them  :    Louis  gave  up  the  territo- 


LA  FAYETTE.  S0< 


rial  impost,  and  the  slamp  duty.  But  these  conces- 
sions on  the  part  of  the  king,  failed  to  appease  the  peo 
pie,  who  regarded  them  as  the  effects  of  apprehension, 
and  of  conscious  weakness,  or  the  giving  up  unjust 
claims.  The  Parliament  too,  regarded  their  recal  as 
a  triumph,  and  were  still  less  disposed  to  submission 
and  obedience.  The  king,  in  the  month  of  Novem- 
ber, laid  before  them  two  edicts,  one  for  raising  about 
nineteen  millions  sterling  by  loan,  and  the  other  for 
the  re-establishment  of  the  Protestants  in  their  civil 
rights.  Both  these  edicts  were  introduced  by  a  speech 
from  his  Majesty,  in  which  he  intimated  his  expecta- 
tion of  obedience  from  Parliament.  A  bold  and  ani- 
mated debate  followed,  which  was  so  offensive  to  the 
king,  that  he  suddenly  arose,  and  commanded  the 
edict  for  registering  the  loan  to  be  immediately  record- 
ed. Scarcely  had  the  king  sat  down,  when  the  Duke 
of  Orleans,  first  prince  of  the  blood,  declared  this 
command  of  Louis,  an  infringement  of  the  rights  of 
Parliament,  and  on  this  ground  entered  his  protest 
against  all  his  proceedings  as  illegal,  and  void.  The 
king  again  repeated  his  commands,  and  left  the  assem- 
bly. On  his  departure,  the  protest  of  the  Duke  whs 
formally  sanctioned  by  Parliament. 

The  first  action  of  the  king  after  leaving  the  assem- 
bly, was  to  order  the  banishment  of  the  Duke  of  Or- 
leans, and  to  issue  lettres  de  cachet  against  two  mem- 
bers of  Parliament,  who  had  been  most  violent  in  the 
debate.  About  the  beginning  of  1788,  however,  the 
Duke  was  recalled,  and  the  two  members  liberated. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  year,  Neckar  was  recal- 
led, and  again  placed  at  the  head  of  the  finances. — 
This  minister  soon  perceived  that  the  royal  authority 
was  very  considerably  weakened  since  he  was  in  pow- 
er before,  and  that  Louis  had  only  the  choice  of  diffi- 
culties, and  even  of  hazardous  expedients.  It  was 
therefore  his  opinion,  that  the  aspect  of  affairs  was 
such,  as  to   make  it  necessary  to  call  together  the 


!08  MEMOIRS  OF 


States  General.  To  this  the  king  consented,  and  thi* 
assembly,  consisting  of  upwards  of  one  thousand  mem- 
bers, was  convoked  by  the  king's  order. 

On  the  5th  of  May,  1789,  this  august  assembly  was< 
opened  by  his  Majesty  at  Versailles.  His  speech  on 
Ibis  occasion  was  conciliating  and  prudent;  he  did 
not  affect  to  conceal  the  discontents  of  the  people, 
while  he  expressed  his  conviction  that  the  causes  of 
these  discontents,  so  far  as  they  were  real  and  just, 
would  be  removed  by  the  wisdom  and  patriotism  of 
the  assembly. 

After  the  assembly  was  organized,  and  was  ready 
to  proceed  to  business,  a  difficulty  arose  «mong  the 
different  bodies  of  which  it  was  composed. 

The  nobility  and  clergy  seemed  resolved  to  decide 
every  question  by  a  majority  of  the  orders,  or  bodies 
taken  separately. 

Several  of  the  clergy,  and  a  few  of  the  nobility,  bow- 
ever,  finally  agreed  to  act  with  the  commons ;  but  as 
the  rest  were   refractory,  the  Abbe  Sieyes,*  on  the 

*  Abbe  Sieyes,  was  born  at  Frejus,  in  the  eastern  part  of 
Provence,  in  the  year  1748.  He  was  successively  a  Cler- 
gyman, a  Vicar  General,  a  Canon,  Chancellor  of  the  Church 
of  Chartres  ;  and  lastly  invested  with  the  permanent  ad 
ministrative  employment,  of  Counsellor-Commissary,  from 
the  Diocese  of  Chartres  to  the  superior  Clergy  of  France. 

He  was  esteemed  a  learned  Civilian  and  Canonist,  and 
possessed  a  considerable  share  of  knowledge  in  the  Belles- 
Lettres  ;  his  favourite  studies,  however,  were  metaphys 
ics,  politics,  and  ceconomics.  He  spent  the  greater  fart 
of  every  year  in  the  capital,  where  he  associated  with 
D'Alembcrt,  Diderot,  Condorcet,  &c.  He  was  at  this 
time  a  member  of  the  (Economical  Society,  which  held  its 
sittings  in  the  Hotel  of  the  Chancellor  Segur. 

Notwithstanding  these  excellent  qualifications  and  con- 
nections, it  is  more  than  probable  that  Sieyes  would  have 
continued  in  obscurity  through  life,  ifthe  Revoluonhad  it 
not  brought  him  into  a  situation  calculated  to  display  his 


LA  FA.YETTE.  20fl 


16th  of  June  made  a  motion,  the  object  of  which  was. 
to  declare  ihat   the  commons,  with  such  members  of 


talents.  Being  appointed  a  Deputy  to  the  States-General, 
he  began  his  career  by  the  publication  of  a  judicious 
pamphlet,  entitled  «•  What  is  the  Third  Estate  ?"  This 
soon  became  the  most  fashionable  book  in  Paris. 

After  the  meeting  of  the  Tiers  Etat  at  Versailles,  he 
was  the  first  person  who  proposed  that  the}'  should  call 
themselves  "  the  Assembly  of  the  Representatives  of  the 
French  people,"  and  he  supported  his  project  with  con- 
siderable iugenuity.  Mirabeau,  who  was  the  better 
statesman,  seeing  his  predilection  for  metaphysics,  took 
this  occasion  to  warn  him  of  the  inconveniences  which 
might  arise  from  applying  abstract  deduction  to  the  prac- 
tice of  government  and  legislation. 

When  the  misunderstanding  between  the  different  or- 
ders in  the  States  General  assumed  a  serious  aspect,  great 
numbers  of  troops  were  drawn  around  the  capital,  and  the 
Deputies  in  the  popular  interest  had  reason  to  be  appre- 
hensive for  their  safety.  It  was  Sieyes,  who,  in  the  sit- 
ting of  the  8th  of  July,  stated  to  the  assembly  the  maxim 
in  the  province  of  Britanny,  that  no  troops  should  be  al- 
lowed to  approach  nearer  than  within  ten  leagues  of  the 
place  in  which  the  States  were  sitting ;  he  proposed 
therefore  an  Address  to  the  King  to  desire  that  he  would 
order  the  troops  to  withdraw  from  the  neighbourhood  of 
Versailles. 

Sometime  previously  to  the  month  of  October,  when 
the  King  was  attacked  in  his  palace  by  the  Parisian  mob,  a 
Secret  Committee,  consisting  of  the  Duke  of  Orleans, 
Mirabeau,  La  Clos,  and  the  Abbe  Sieyes,  is  said  to  have 
met  in  the  village  of  Montrouge,  near  Paris.  They  had 
agreed  upon  a  scheme  for  placing  the  Duke  of  Orleans  in 
so  distinguished  a  situation  in  the  government,  that,  with 
the  assistance  of  his  immense  fortune,  and  under  the'in 
fluence  of  his  name,  they  could  not  fail  to  have  the  com- 
mand of  the  populace,  and  consequently  possess  a  decisive 
weight  in  the  National  Assembly.  Whether  their  desigp. 
was  to  render  this  prince  of  the  blood  royal  an  useful  in- 

18* 


^10  MEMOIRS  Of 


the  nobility  and  clergy  as  had  united  with  them,  weir 
the  known  and  acknowledged  representatives  of  the 

slrument  in  furthering  the  Revolution,  or  to  open  to  him 
an  easy  path  to  the  throne,  history  has  yet  to  unravel  : 
the  fact  is  brought  forward  in  this  place  merely  to  shew 
how  far  Sieyes  came  under  the  denomination  of  an  Or- 
leanist. 

Certain  it  is,  that  he  either  was,  or  affected  at  one  time 
to  be,  azealous  royalist.  In  the  year  1791,  when  it  was 
thought  that  the  King,  by  attempting  his  escape,  had  abdi- 
cated the  crown,  a  combination  was  formed,  consisting  of 
Condorcet  and  Brissot  in  France,  and  Paine  in  England, 
for  the  publication  of  a  periodical  paper,  under  the  title  of 
The  Republican.  Sieyes  actually  printed  answers  to  es- 
says which  appeared,  from  time  to  time,  in  this  work,  and 
declared  his  intentions  to  support  a  Monarchy  against  a 
Republic  by  every  means  in  his  power  !  It  is  not  known 
whether  the  succeeding  events  of  the  Revolution,  or  some 
stronger  reasons  have  since  operated  to  render  him  so 
strenuous  a  proselyte  to  the  Republican  system. 

Sieyes  was  the  author  of  the  famous  declaration  of 
"  the  rights  of  man,"  which  was  decreed  by  the  National 
Assembly.  It  was  written  in  his  usual  metaphysical  man- 
ner, and  excited  very  different  sensations  in  every  coun- 
try of  Europe.  Mr.  Burke  was  among  the  most  furious 
of  his  assailants,  and  stated  that  he  wanted  to  reduce  the 
art  of  governing  to  the  rules  of  architecture,  and  to  meas- 
ure the  passions  of  men  with  a  geometrical  compass. 

His  indifference  about  dignities  or  eminent  situations, 
which  might  draw  upon  him  the  attention  of  the  public, 
and  consequent  responsibility,  was  strikingly  exemplified 
after  the  dissolution  of  the  Constituent  Assembly.  He 
was  designed  by  his  friends  as  a  candidate  for  the  metro- 
politan church  of  Paris,  but  declined  the  honour,  and  al- 
lowed Gobet  to  be  elected  in  his  stead.  He  was  then  ap- 
pointed a  member  of  the  department,  which  he  neither 
accepted  nor  refused  ;  and  his  conduct  on  this  occasion  , 
savoured  so  much  of  arrogance  as  to  disgust  even  his  most 
partial  admirers. 


LA  FAYETTE.  211 


nation.     On  the  following  day  this   motion  was  can  i 
ed  ;  and  the  appellation   of  National  Assembly  was 
given  to  the  meeting. 

Id  1792,  Sieyes  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  Nation- 
al Convention.  Nothing  remarkable  distinguished  his 
conduct  during  the  first  period  of  that  tumultuous  assem- 
bly. When,  however,  it  voted  the  punishment  of  Louis, 
such  was  the  influence  of  Sieyes  that  a  great  number  of 
members  reserved  themselves  till  they  had  heard  his 
opinion.  It  was  consequently  understood,  that  upon  that 
would  depend  the  fate  of  the  King.  Sieyes  at  length 
mounted  the  tribune  ;  an  awful  silence  pervaded  the  anx- 
ious assembly  ;  eloquence,  combined  with  philosophy, 
was  expected  on  all  sides  ;  he,  however,  interrupted  the 
solemn  pause  with  only  five  emphatic  monosyllables  "Je 
*uis  pour  la  mort  !"  and  instantly  withdrew. 

From  this  time  he  was  so  carefully  concealed  from  the 
public  eye,  that  it  was  actually  made  a  question  whether 
he  was  dead  or  alive.  It  has,  however,  been  suspected 
by  the  Parisians,  that  he  directed,  from  his  retreat,  many 
of  the  atrocities  which  were  committed  under  the  reign  of 
Robespierre. 

Sieyes  took  no  part  in  the  re  action  of  the  Thermidor- 
ians.  From  the  death  of  Robespierre,  until  February 
1795,  he  still  remained  behind  the  curtain,  and  did  not 
appear  upon  the  stage  until  he  was  certain  there  was  no 
danger  of  the  mountaineers  regaining  their  ascendancy. 
By  way  of  apology  for  having  thus  absented  himself  from 
business  during  two  years,  he  published  memoirs  of  his 
own  life,  the  purport  of  which  was  to  lament  that  the 
mountain  party  had  abused  his  definitions  of  the  Rights  of 
Man  ;  and  to  state  that  his  system  had  been  intended  only 
as  the  skeleton  of  civil  society  ;  a  skeleton  which,  accord- 
ing to  situation,  was  susceptible  of  numberless  modifica- 
tions. 

From  this  period  began  the  most  brilliant  career  of 
Sieyes's  public  life.  Having  obtained  the  unbounded  es- 
teem and  confidence  of  his  colleagues,  he  was  fixed  upon 
to  regulate  the  external  relations  of  the  Republic.     It  was 


MEMOIRS  OF 


The  first  acts  of  this  assembly  plainly  indicated  that 
there  was  an  intention  to  wrest  from  the  king  almost 

he,  who  suggested  the  scheme  of  concluding  separate 
treaties  with  the  coalesced  powers,  with  the  view  to  cre- 
ate such  a  misunderstanding  as  would  prove  fatal  to  the 
royal  confederacy. 

The  subsequent  conduct  of  the  European  cabinets  has 
evinced  that  the  Abbe  was  right  in  his  conjectures,  and 
thus  a  Vicar  ofChartres  has  out-manoeuvred  all  the  expe- 
rienced Statesmen  in  Europe. 

The  plans  of  Sieyes,  for  the  aggrandizement  of  the 
French  Republic,  were  developed  so  early  as  April  1795 
He  advised  his  colleagues  to  retain  the  Austrian  Nether 
lands,  and  was  the  first  projector  of  the  alliance  with  Hoi 
land.  He,  himself,  went  to  the  Hague  as  French  Plenipo 
tenliary,  for  the  purpose  of  concluding  that  famous  treaty 

Those  who  did  not  comprehend  the  designs  of  Sieyes 
'highly  disapproved  of  a  treaty  with  a  petty  power,  not 
geographically  united  to  France,  and  whose  democratic 
constitution  had  not  been  acknowledged  by  the  King  of 
Prussia,  brother-in-law  to  the  ci-devant  Stadtholder. — 
Even  the  greater  part  of  his  colleagues  in  the  Committee 
of  Public  Safety  were  of  opinion,  that  the  Netherlands 
should  be  restored  to  Austria  ;  and  so  late  as  the  month 
of  August  in  that  year,  Boissy  d'Anglas  gave  his  opinion 
in  the  Committee,  that  the  Emperor  would  rather  endan- 
ger his  crown  than  relinquish  those  important  possessions. 
The  opinion  of  Sieyes  was,  however,  adopted,  for  the 
National  Convention  decreed  the  union  of  Belgium  with 
the  French  Republic. 

So  signal  were  the  services  thus  performed  by  Sieyes 
to  his  country,  that  at  the  time  of  the  adoption  of  the  new 
constitution,  he  was  elected  one  of  the  five  members  of 
the  Executive  Directory.  He  acted,  however,  on  that  oc- 
casion as  he  did  in  the  year  1791,  when  he  declined  the 
Archbishopric  of  Paris. 

In  February,  1796,  he  was  appointed  a  member  of  the 
National  Institute,  in  the  class  of  Metaphysics  and  Morals  ; 
and,  by  an  unaccountable  singularity  of  choice,  the  very 


LA  FAYETTE.  213 


all  the  authority  which  had  heretofore  been  considered 
as  vested  in  the  crown. 

same  man  who  had  declined  a  place  in  the  Directory,  ac- 
cepted of  the  chair  of  Literature  in  the  central  school  at 
the  College  de  Mazarin  ! 

It  was  reported  in  May,  1796,  that  Sieyes  was  the  au- 
thor of  the  peace  between  the  French  Republic  and  the 
King  of  Sardinia.  This  is  highly  probable,  because  he 
continued  for  some  time  to  direct  the  external  policy  of 
the  Directory,  nearly  in  the  same  manner  as  he  had  for- 
merly superintended  that  of  the  Committee  of  Public 
Safety.  A  treaty  so  disgraceful  to  an  independent  sove- 
reign, could  scarcely  have  been  wished  for,  even  by  the 
most  inveterate  jacobin.  The  writer  of  this  article,  who 
was  then  in  Paris,  recollects,  that  when  the  English  news- 
papers reached  that  city,  which  contained  the  memorable 
speech  of  Lord  Fitzwilliam,  proposing  a  bellum  interned- 
num,  a  great  many  intelligent  Frenchmen  avowed  that  his 
Lordship's  idea  was  fully  justified  by  the  revolutionary 
diplomatics  of  the  Abbe  Sieyes. 

This  Deputy,  on  account  of  the  insensibility  of  his 
heart,  and  his  camelion  like  conduct,  is  little  beloved  in 
France.  In  the  spring  of  1797,  he  very  narrowly  esca- 
ped assassination  with  a  pistol  by  the  Abbe  Poulle. 

During  the  preceding*  autumn,  he   was   so  abused  by 
means  of  himpoons  and  pasquinades,  that  he  was  obliged  to 
quit  Paris,  upon   the  entrance  of  the  new  third  into  the 
Legislature  ;  and  did  not  leave  his  retreat  until  the  vio 
lent  crisis  of  the  4th  of  September. 

No  sooner  had  this  taken  place,  than  he  once  more  ap- 
peared in  the  Legislative  and  Literary  assemblies,  and 
took  an  active  part  in  the  deliberations  of  both.  A  little 
while  after,  a  new  scene  was  opened  to  his  ambition,  and 
he  who  had  refused  to  be  a  Bishop,  and  even  a  Director, 
condescended  at  length  to  become  an  Ambassador. 

He  accoidingly  repaired  to  the  Court  of  Berlin,  in  the 
character  of  Minister  Plenipotentiary  ;  and,  notwithstand- 
ing the  many  reports  to  the  contrary,  has  assuredly  met 
with  a  distinguished   reception.     The  grand  object  of  hi^ 


9*4  MEMOIRS  OF 


Louis  expressly  directed  that  the  three  orders  oi 
which  the  Assembly  were  composed,  should  separate. 
This  order  was  followed  by  most  of  the  Nobility,  and 
some  of  the  Clergy,  but  the  Commons  firmly  opposed 
and  entirely  disobeyed  the  King's  command  ;  and  be- 
fore they  adjourned,  voted,  on  motion  of  Mirabeau, 
"that  the  person  of  every  deputy  should  be  regarded 
as  inviolable." 

Having  given  the  above  rapid  sketch  of  the  begin- 
ning of  the  French  revolution,  down  to  the  period 
when  the  subject  of  these  memoirs  takes  an  active 
and  conspicuous  part  in  it,  we  will  turn  the  attention 
of  the  reader  more  particularly  to  him. 

La  Fayette  was  elected  a  member  of  the  State* 
General,  or  National  Assembly,  from  the  department 
of  Auvergne,  in  1789.  In  July  of  that  year,  he  ad- 
dressed the  Assembly,  and  proposed  a  declaration  of 
rights,  similar  to  that  which  the  Americans  placed  at 
the  head  of  their  Constitution,  after  asserting  their  In- 
dependence. A  copy  of  this  paper  was  transmitted 
by  him  to  the  electors  of  Paris,  then  assembled,  that  it 
might  be  read  to  the  people.  It  was  accompanied 
with  the  following  energetic  address  : 

"  Call  to  mind  the  sentiments  which  nature  has  en- 
graven upon  the  heart  of  every  citizen;  and  which 
assumes  a  new  force,  when  recognized  by  all. — For  a 
nation  to  love  liberty,  it  is  sufficient  that  she  knows  it : 
and  to  be  free,  it  is  sufficient  that  she  wills  it."  On 
this  occasion,  it  is  said  that  Mirabeau  felt  a  strong  pang 

mission  was  to  neutralize  the  King  of  Prussia,  and  this  he 
has  completely  effected,  by  arousing  the  jealousy  of  that 
Monarch,  and  pointing  out  the  House  of  Austria  as  the 
natural  enemy  of  that  of  Brandenburgh. 

Sieyes  has  been  ridiculed  by  Mr  Burke,  who  affected, 
ironically,  to  recommend  to  the  Reformers  here,  "  one  of 
the  new  constitutions  ready  cut  and  dried,  from  the  pigeon- 
holes of  the  Abbe's  bureau," 


LA  FAYETTE.  215 


of  envy,  that  La  Fayette  should  have  been  the  first, 
thus  to  have  given  a  hint  on  so  important  a  subject  as 
a  new  constitution. 

After  La  Fayette  had  finished  reading  his  paper  to 
the  Assembly,  M.  de  Lally  Tolendal,  a  member,  arose 
:um]  said,  "  With  the  exception  of  a  few  lines  which  ad- 
mit, perhaps,  of  discussion,  I  second  the  motion  which 
has  just  been  offered.  All  the  principles  in  this  de- 
claration are  the  sacred  emanations  of  truth  ;  all  the 
sentiments  are  noble  and  sublime.  The  author  of 
the  motion  now  displays  as  much  eloquence  in  speak- 
ing of  liberty,  as  he  has  already  shown  in  defending 
it." 

In  this  Assembly,  La  Fayette  was  the  first  to  pro- 
pose a  suppression  of  that  engine  of  tyranny,  the  let- 
ires  de  cachet  !  he  also  demanded  the  abolition  of  the 
prisons  of  State,  and  obtained  a  resolution  in  favour 
of  the  civil  condition  of  the  Protestants. 

During  the  summer  of  this  year,  such  were  the  pop- 
ular commotions,  that  the  king  found  his  reliance  must 
be  placed  on  the  army.*     The  National  Assembly,  al- 

*  In  the  month  of  June,  of  this  year,  the  proceedings  of 
the  National  Assembly,  or  rather  that  part  of  it  called  the 
Commons,  produced  general  alarm  among  the  friends  of  the 
King.  In  their  sitting  of  the  21st  of  this  month,  this  As- 
sembly, acting  in  conformity  to  previous  vote,  "that  the 
Commons,  with  such  of  the  Clergy  and  Nobility  as  would 
join  them,  should  be  the  legal  representatives  of  the  Nation," 
assumed  the  reins  of  government,  voted  taxes,  made  arrange- 
ments to  discharge  a  part  of  the  national  debt  by  a  loan,  and 
distributed  money  to  the  poor,  who  were  in  want  of  corn. 
These  acts  being  passed,  without  the  concurrence  of  the 
King,  were  in  direct  violation  of  his  sovereignty.  An  at- 
tempt was  made  on  the  following  morning  to  prevent  the 
further  meetings  of  the  Assembly.  For  this  purpose  an  of- 
ficer o(  the  royal  guards  and  sixty  men,  were  stationed  at  the 
door  of  the  Assembly  room,  to  prevent  the  entrance  of  the 
Deputies,  and  at  nine  o'clock,  the  King's  heralds  proclaim- 


216  MEMOIRS  OF 


?o,  foreseeing  the  probable  consequences  of  the  diffi- 
culties with  which  the  nation  was  torn,  had  formed  a 

ed  a  suspension  of  the  meetings  till  Monday,  when  his  Ma- 
jesty would  attend  at  the  house  to  receive  them.  The  pre- 
sident, with  several  of  the  members,  arriving  at  the  usual 
time,  and  finding  the  door  shut  against  them,  remained  some 
time  in  the  street,  but  at  length  adjourned  to  the  tennis- 
court,  and  there  held  their  assembly  till  late  in  the  evening, 
when  all  present,  before  they  separated,  individually  took 
the  following  oath  :  (i  We  solemnly  swear,  never  to  separate 
from  the  National  Assembly,  but  to  unite  ourselves  in  every 
place,  whenever  circumstances  may  require,  until  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  kingdom  is  established  on  a  solid  foundation." 
"  Resolved,  That  this  determination  shall  be  printed  and 
sent  to  the  different  provinces." 

Paris  was  in  the  greatest  consternation  at  these  proceed- 
ings, and  the  whole  court  under  the  most  perplexing  embar- 
rassment. The  King,  however,  determined  to  go  to  the 
house,  agreeably  to  his  proclamation,  and  on  the  25th  of 
June  he  opened  the  Assembly  by  the  following  speech  : 
"  Gentlemen, 
"  At  the  time  I  took  the  resolution  of  assembling  you ; 
when  I  had  surmounted  all  the  difficulties  which  threatened 
a  convocation  of  my  States ;  when  I  had,  to  use  the  expres- 
sion, even  preconceived  the  desires  of  the  nation,  in  mani- 
festing beforehand  my  wishes  for  its  welfare,  I  thought  to 
have  done  every  thing  which  depended  on  myself  for  the 
good  of  my  people. 

"  It  seemed  to  me  that  you  had  only  to  finish  the  work  I 
had  begun ;  and  the  nation  expected  impatiently  the  mo- 
ment when,  in  conjunction  with  the  beneficent  views  of  its 
sovereign,  and  the  enlightened  zeal  of  its  representatives,  it 
was  about  to  enjoy  that  prosperous  and  happy  state  which 
such  an  union  ought  to  afford. 

"  The  States  General  have  now  been  opened  more  than 
two  months,  and  have  not  yet  agreed  on  the  preliminaries  of 
its  operations.  Instead  of  that  source  of  harmony  which 
springs  from  a  love  of  country,  a  most  fatal  division  spreads 
an  alarm  over  every  mind.  I  am  willing  to  believe,  and  I 
shall  be  happy  to  find  that  the  disposition  of  Frenchmea  is  not 


LAFAYETTE.  217 


national  militia,  on  which  Ihey  intended  to  rely,  in 
case  of  necessity.     La  Fayette,  though  a  known  friend 

changed  ;  but  to  avoid  reproaching  either  of  you,  I  shall 
consider  that  the  renewal  of  the  States  General,  after  so 
long  a  period,  the  turbulence  which  preceded  it,  the  object  of 
this  Assembly,  so  different  from  that  of  your  ancestors,  and 
many  other  objects,  have  led  you  to  an  opposition,  and  to 
prefer  pretentions  which  you  are  not  entitled  to. 

u  I  owe  it  to  the  welfare  of  my  kingdom,  I  owe  it  to  my- 
self, to  dissipate  the  fatal  divisions.  It  is  with  this  resolu- 
tion, Gentlemen,  that  I  convene  you  once  more  around  me. 
I  do  it  as  a  common  father  of  all  my  people — I  do  it,  as  the 
defender  of  my  Kingdom's  laws,  that  1  may  bring  to  your 
memory  the  true  spirit  of  the  Constitution,  and  resist  those 
attempts  which  have  been  made  against  it. 

"  But,  Gentlemen,  after  having  established  the  respective 
rights  of  the  different  orders,  1  expect,  from  the  zeal  of  the 
two  principal  classes — I  expect,  from  their  attachment  to  my 
person — I  expect,  from  the  knowledge  they  have  of  the  press- 
ing urgencies  to  the  Stnte,  that  in  those  matters  which  cou- 
cern  the  general  good,  they  should  be  the  first  to  propose  a 
re-union  of  consultation  and  opinion,  which  I  consider  as 
necessary  in  the  present  crisis,  and  which  ought  to  take 
place  for  the  general  good  of  the  kingdom." 

After  the  delivery  of  this  speech,  the  King  ordered  every 
one  to  retire,  and  to  meet  again  on  the  next  day,  in  the 
Chamber  of  Orders. 

The  Nobles,  and  part  of  the  Clergy,  shouted  vive  le  Roi  ; 
but  the  Commons  remained  in  profound  silence  ;  nor  would 
they  quit  the  hall,  where,  together  with  about  fifty  Clergy, 
who  would  not  separate  from  them,  they  instantly  began  to 
discuss  the  Royal  proceedings.  Four  times  the  King  sent  an 
officer  to  order  them,  on  their  allegiance,  to  break  up  the 
meeting  ;  four  times  did  they  deny  the  authority  of  the  King 
to  order  them  to  separate,  and,  by  their  firmness,  they  car- 
ried their  point,  and  proceeded  to  business.  M.  Le  Camus, 
one  of  the  deputies  of  Paris,  moved  "  that  the  National  As- 
sembly do  persist  in  all  its  preceding  resolutions  ;"  and  those 
who  remained  of  the  clergy,  requested  that  their  presence 

19 


218  MEMOIRS  OF 


to  the  King,  was  appointed  by  the  Assembly,  Com- 
mander in  Chief  of  the  Militia,  This  appointment 
was  sanctioned  by  his  Majesty,  and  thus  in  this  in- 
stance the  National  and  Royal  parties  were  united. 
La  Fayette,  though  in  the  partial  confidence  of  the 
Royal  party,  was  still  a  strong  advocate  for  the  liber- 
ties of  his  country.  He  saw  the  necessity  of  a  reform, 
but  was  willing  that  it  should  be  effected  gradually. 
While,  therefore,  the  national  party  placed  the  most 
implicit  confidence  in  his  military  talents,  aud  patriot- 
ism, the  King  depended  on  his  moderation  and  person- 
al  attachment. 

The  committee  which  had  been  appointed  to  lay 
down  the  principles  of  a  new  Constitution,  expressly 


might  be  specified.  This  motion  passed  unanimously,  and 
the  Assembly  continued  its  sitting  all  night,  and  all  the  n.,xt 
day.  Another  motion  followed  from  Mirabeau,  nearly  in 
these  words  :  "  The  National  Assembly,  feeling  the  necessi- 
ty of  securing  personal  liberty,  freedom  of  opinion,  and  the 
right  of  each  deputy  of  the  States  General  to  enquire  into, 
and  censure  all  sorts  of  abuses  and  obstacles  to  the  public 
welfare  and  liberty,  do  resolve,  That  the  person  of  each  de- 
puty is  inviolable  ;  and  any  individual,  public  or  private,  of 
whatever  quality,  any  body  corporate  of  men,  any  tribunal, 
court  of  justice,  or  commission  whatever,  who  should  dare, 
during  the  present  session,  to  prosecute,  or  cause  to  be  pros- 
ecuted, arrest,  or  cause  to  be  arrested,  detain,  or  cause  to 
be  detained,  the  person  of  one,  or  more  deputies,  for  any 
proposition,  advice,  or  opinions,  or  speech,  made  by  them  in 
the  States  General,  or  in  any  of  its  Assemblies,  or  Commit- 
tees, shall  be  deemed  infamous,  and  a  traitor  to  his  country, 
and  that,  in  any  such  case  or  cases,  the  National  Assembly 
will  pursue  every  possible  means  and  measures  to  bring  the 
authors,  instigators,  or  executors  of  such  arbitrary  proceed- 
ings, to  condign  punishment."  This  motion  passed,  483 
to  34. 

Every  thing  was  now  in  a  most  violent  state  of  fermenta- 
tion, both  at  Paris  and  Versailles,  a  prelude  to  the  horrible 
events  which  soon  followed. 


LA  FAYETTE.  219 


declared  that  the  King  ought  to  have  a  veto  on  every 
law.  This  proposition  met  with  violent  and  general 
opposition  from  the  people,  and  while  it  was  discussed 
in  the  Assembly,  numerous  guards  of  militia,  and  seve- 
ral pieces  of  cannon,  were  stationed  in  different  parts 
of  Paris.  The  month  of  August  was  consumed  in  de- 
bates about  the  veto,  which  at  length  was  indirectly 
negatived  by  the  decrees  that  were  passed  for  the  for- 
mation of  the  Constitution.  The  state  of  the  Capital 
at  this  period,  was  most  threatening.  Parties  ran  ex- 
cessively high  ;  and  on  neither  side  was  there  either 
conciliation  or  moderation.  But  the  greatest  danger 
was  to  be  apprehended  from  a  numerous  and  power- 
ful association,  who  regarded  even  those  who  had  hith- 
erto taken  the  lead  against  the  King  as  lukewarm,  and 
as  stopping  far  short  of  what  they  ought  to  have 
achieved.  This  was  called  the  third  party,  and  was 
headed  by  the  infamous  Duke  of  Orleans.  This  par- 
ty operated  with  wonderful  and  most  mischievous  ef- 
fect on  the  populace. 

The  scarcity  of  provisions,  which  was  undoubtedly 
in  some  degree,  the  effect  of  the  monopoly  which  the 
Duke  contrived  to  maintain  in  the  corn  trade,  was  at- 
tributed to  the  mismanagement  of  Government,  and 
the  Duke's  agents  were  directed  to  inflame  the  popu- 
lace, by  insinuating,  that  it  was  in  the  King's  power  to 
alleviate  their  condition,  and  that  he  only  wanted  a 
disposition  to  do  so. 

About  this  time,  a  circumstance  happened,  which, 
though  in  itself  of  no  consequence,  was  yet  the  cause 
of  inflaming  the  populace  still  more.  A  regiment  from 
Flanders  arrived  at  Versailles ;  and  the  body  guards 
of  the  King  invited  them,  together  with  the  national 
guards  stationed  there,  to  an  entertainment.  The  en- 
tertainment was  given  in  the  opera-house  belonging  to 
the  palace.  In  the  course  of  the  evening,  the  King 
and  Queen  had  the  curiosity  to  enter  the  hall,  the 
Queen  leading  the  young  Dauphin,  and  attended  by 


m  A         MEMOIRS  OF 

/7  JHa 


several  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  court.  This  un- 
expected visit  to  a  party,  whose  hearts  were  warmed 
with  wine  could  not  fail  to  rouse  a  spirit  of  loyally. 
The  healths  of  the  royal  family  were  drank,  with  ac- 
clamations of  joy,  and  as  they  retired,  a  loyal  air  was 
struck  up,  accompanied  by  the  voices  of  the  soldiers. 

This  occurrence  gave  rise  to  a  report,  which  was 
soon  circulated  in  Paris,  that  this  entertainment  was 
given  by  persons  of  the  court,  for  the  purpose  of  at- 
taching the  Flanders  regiment  and  the  national  guards 
to  the  King.  It  was  also  said  to  the  populace,  that 
the  court  at  Versailles,  so  far  from  pitying  their  starving 
condition,  or  attempting  to  alleviate  it,  were  spending 
the  public  money,  in  splendid  entertainments,  and  in- 
sulting their  misery  by  indulging  in  wanton  and  expen- 
sive luxury. 

On  the  2nd  of  October,  the  National  Assembly  pre- 
sented to  the  King  certain  articles  of  the  constitution, 
on  which  they  had  agreed,  for  his  acceptance.  The 
King  replied,  that  in  due  time  he  would  make  known 
his  intentions  concerning  those  articles.  It  was  im- 
mediately said,  that  the  marks  of  attachment  and  loy- 
alty shown  to  the  king  at  the  entertainment,  was  the 
cause  of  this  postponement,  and  that,  in  the  meantime, 
he  intended  to  effect  his  escape.  This  conduct  of 
the  King  was  so  misrepresented  at  Paris,  as  to  give 
great  di&pleasure  there,  and  the  National  Assembly 
were  irritated  at  his  reply. 

In  addition  to  these  misrepresentations,  the  Duke  of 
Orleans  employed  and  paid  men,  whose  business  it 
was  to  harangue  the  populace  in  the  streets,  and  to 
excite  them  to  insurrection.  There  was  in  Paris,  at 
that  time,  really  a  scarcity  of  bread,  and  in  some  parts 
of  the  city,  poor  families  were  in  a  suffering  condition, 
but  most  probably,  from  the  negligence  of  the  commit- 
tee appointed  to  distribute  provisions  among  them. 
In  this  state  of  things,  it  was  easy  for  the  agents  of  in- 


LA  FAYETTE.  221 


surrection  to  gather  the  mob,  and  excite  them  to  open 
violence. 

Accordingly,  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  October, 
a  great  number  of  men  and  women  assembled  in  the 
square  of  the  Elotel  de  Ville,  and  insisted  on  going 
into  the  Town  House,  to  remonstrate  with  the  commit- 
tee who  were  appointed  to  supply  them  with  bread. 
To  the  clamours  of  the  mob,  the  committee  replied, 
that  they  were  using  all  possible  means  to  procure 
them  bread,  but  they  had  met  with  difficulties,  which 
they  did  not  expect.  A  cry  was  immediately  heard, 
that  these  difficulties  originated  at  Court,  and  that 
they  would  go  to  Versailles,  and  demand  redress  of 
the  King.  This  proposal  met  with  universal  approba- 
tion, and  a  man  named  Maillard  was  appointed-  to 
lead  them.  The  National  Guards  declared  they 
would  not  fire  upon  poor  people,  who  only  demanded 
bread,  and  this  motley  group  was  permitted  to  proceed. 
Maillard  led  them  to  the  Elysian  Fields,  where  they 
mustered  nearly  five  thousand  persons,  of  whom  four- 
fifths  were  women,  or  dreased  in  women's  clothes. 
Having  previously  broken  open  u  magazine,  a  part  of 
them  were  armed  with  muskets,  others  had  swords, 
pikes,  pruning  hooks,  scythes,  &c.  They  stopped  as 
many  coaches  as  were  necessary  to  furnish  horses  for 
drawing  several  pieces  of  artillery,  a  poissarde,  or 
fisher-woman  being  mounted  on  each  horse; 

La  Fayette  has  been  censured  for  not  having  dis- 
persed this  band  of  insurgents,  and  prevented  their 
march  to  Versailles.  But  it  was  well  known,  that  the 
spirit  of  revolt  had  pervaded  the  National  Guards 
themselves,  and  that  they  refused  to  obey  the  com- 
mands of  the  General.  When  a  fermentation  was 
excited  sometime  before  this,  by  a  seditious  person, 
named  St.  Huruge,  who  proposed  this  very  measure, 
that  the  King  and  National  Assembly  should  remove" 
to  Paris,  it  was  owing  to  the  spirited  behaviour  of  La 
Fayette,  that  the  mob  which  this  man  had  collected, 
19* 


222  MEMOIRS  OF 


was  dispersed,  and  St.  Huruge  himself,  sent  to  prison; 
and  there  can  be  no  doubt,  that  the  present  insurrec- 
tion would  have  had  a  similar  termination,  had  the 
Guards  been  equally  obedient  to  his  commands.*  Be- 
sides, the  ill  terms  on  which  La  Fayette  was  with  the 
Duke  of  Orleans,  is  sufficient  of  itself,  to  clear  him  of 
this  accusation.  No  two  men  were  less  likely  to  be 
intimate  with  each  other.  La  Fayette  is  described  by 
those  who  have  known  him  long  and  intimately,  as  in- 
defatigable in  the  pursuit  of  renown,  disinterested, 
brave  and  generous  ; — qualities  never  attributed  to 
the  Duke  of  Orleans.f 

The  National  Guards  assembled  before  the  Town 
House  were  so  determined  on  this  expedition  to  Ver- 
sailles, and  so  irritated  by  La  Fayette's  persevering 
endeavours  to  dissuade  them,  that  a  large  body  of  them 
declared  they  would  have  him  for  their  commander  no 
longer,  and  actually  proposed  to  M.  Dogni,  to  accept 
the  chief  command,  and  lead  them  to  Versailles.  He 
however,  refused.  Seeing  that  at  all  events,  they 
were  decided  on  going,  La  Fayette  at  length  decided, 
that  if  the  Municipality  of  Paris  would  give  him  an  or- 
der for  that  purpose,  he  would  lead  the  National 
Guards  to  Versailles,  and  communicate  to  the  King 
the  distresses  of  the  capital,  and  the  grievances  of 
which  they  complained.  Having  obtained  an  order, 
he  marched  with  20,000  men  for  Versailles,  four  or 
five  hours  after  the  motley  band  above  described. 

After  Maillard  and  his  tumultuous  mob  had  arrived, 
a  detachment  of  the  most  furious  Poissardes  marched 
directly  to  the  hall  of  the  National  Assembly,  and 
were  on  the  point  of  forcing  the  guards,  when  they 
were  prudently  admitted.  The  burthen  of  their  cla- 
mour was,  that  there  was  a  scarcity  of  bread  at  Paris, 
and  that  they  had  come  to  remonstrate  with  the  As- 


*  Moore's  French  Revolution, 
tlb. 


LA  FAYETTE.  223 


sembly,  for  not  taking  means  to  send  them  a  supply. 
The  President  declared,  in  reply,  that  they  were  just 
going  to  deliberate  on  the  speediest  means  of  furnish- 
ing a  supply,  and  added,  that  the  ladies  had  liberty  to 
withdraw.  They  however,  insisted,  that  a  deputation 
of  their  number  should  accompany  the  President  of 
the  Assembly  to  the  King.  It  was  agreed,  that  six 
should  go,  but  afterwards  the  ladies  insisted,  that 
twelve  should  be  the  number,  and  accordingly,  the 
President  was  introduced  into  the  hall  of  his  Majesty 
with  this  deputation.  Here  they  acquainted  the  King 
in  person  of  their  miserable  condition,  for  want  of 
provisions,  and  his  Majesty  made  such  a  reply  as 
charmed  the  poor  Poissardes  ;  and  they  went  away 
satisfied.  Their  constituents  however,  declared,  that 
they  had  been  corrupted  by  some  of  the  Court,  and 
made  them  return  and  obtain  a  writing  from  the  King, 
that  he  had  acceded  to  their  demands.  Accordingly, 
a  paper  signed  Jpy  the  royal  hand  was  given  them, 
with  which  all  vvere  satisfied. 

At  evening,  awer  the  Assembly  had  adjourned,  La 
Fayette  arrived  with  the  Parisian  army.  The  depu- 
ties being  warned  of  this,  were  immediately  recalled 
to  the  Assembly,  in  great  alarm  at  so  unexpected  a  vi- 
sit. This  alarm  was  soon  removed  by  La  Fayette, 
who,  having  waited  on  the  King,  hastened  to  present 
himself  before  the  Assembly,  with  every  appearance  of 
respect  and  submission.  He  lamented  to  M.  Mounier, 
the  President,  the  disorders  and  jealousies  which  had 
obliged  him  to  march  at  the  head  of  the  National 
Guards  to  Versailles  ;  expressing,  at  the  same  time, 
his  hope  and  belief,  that  the  circumstances  which  oc- 
casioned this  extraordinary  visit,  might  be  easily  un- 
derstood, and  settled  without  further  difficulty.  It 
was  near  midnight,  when  the  Parisian  Guards  arrived 
at  Versailles.  The  weather  was  cold,  and  it  rained 
with  violence.  The  soldiers  took  refuge  in  taverns, 
coffee-houses,  under  porticoes,  wherever  they  could 


224  MEMOIRS  OF 


rest  and  find  shelter.  Refreshments  were  distributed 
to  them  ;  and  an  appearance  of  good  humour  inspired 
hopes  that  all  danger  of  tumult  was  over,  for  that  night 
at  least. 

When  La  Fayette  perceived  this,  he  returned  to  the 
palace,  and  gave  such  an  account  of  this  apparent 
tranquillity,  that  the  King  and  Queen  retired  to  rest. 
Having  appointed  his  guards,  and  placed  sentinels 
where  he  thought  necessary,  La  Fayette  again  entered 
the  National  Assembly,  and  gave  them  the  same  assu- 
rances that  he  had  given  the  royal  family.  Notwith- 
standing the  President  of  the  Assembly,  after  so  dis- 
tressing a  sitting  of  eighteen  hours,  must  have  greatly 
needed  repose,  he  replied  to  La  Fayette,  that  if  there 
was  any  fear  of  tumult  during  the  night,  he  would  per- 
suade the  Deputies  to  sit  with  him  until  morning,  that 
they  might  unite  their  efforts  to  preserve  peace. 

La  Fayette's  reply  was,  that  having  already  given 
the  necessary  directions,  he  was  so  convinced  of  the 
general  pacific  disposition,  that  he  was  himself  intend- 
ing to  take  a  few  hours  rest. 

Notwithstanding  the  uniform  exertions  of  La  Fay- 
ette, on  all  former  occasions,  as  well  as  on  this,  to  pre- 
serve peace,  and  prevent  the  unnecessary  effusion  of 
blood,  his  enemies  were  base  enough,  on  this  occasion, 
to  calumniate  him,  by  reporting  that  he  only  affected 
to  retire  to  rest,  knowing  that  the  palace  was  to  be  at- 
tacked, 

Adolphus,  in  his  memoirs  of  him,  animadverts  on 
La  Fayette's  conduct  on  this  occasion,  in  the  follow- 
ing terms : 

"  It  is  impossible  to  pass  over  these  acts  of  La  Fay- 
ette without  animadversion.  That  he  should  leave 
the  royalfamily  at  night,  under  the  protection  of  those 
soldiers,  who  had  shown  so  strong  a  propensity  to  mu- 
tiny in  the  morning,  is  surprising  ;  but  this  may  in 
some  manner  be  accounted  for,  by  allowing  for  his 
vanity,   suggesting,   that  his    personal  influence   had 


LA  FAYETTE.  225 


overcome  their  evil  dispositions,  and  the  confidence 
he  placed  in  the  renewed  oath  of  loyalty  which  he  in- 
duced them  to  take,  as  soon  as  they  entered  Versailles. 
His  advising  the  adjournment  of  the  Assembly  was  a 
great  error,  as  it  afforded  the  conspirators,  in  the  Or- 
leans interest,  an  opportunity  of  re-arranging  their 
plans  of  sedition,  and  providing  for  the  execution  of 
them.  But  what  defence  can  be  made  for  him,  the 
General  of  such  an  army,  retiring  quietly  to  rest  on 
such  a  night.  No  appearance  of  tranquillity,  no  faith 
in  oaths,  is  sufficient  to  apologize,  or  even  account 
for  it."  "  The  reasons  of  this  conduct  are  thus  giv- 
en," continues  Adolphus,  but  he  does  not  inform  us 
who  his  author  is,  and  leaves  the  reader  to  conclude 
that  it  was  a  friend,  who  had  no  better  excuse  for  La 
Fayette  than  is  here  given.  u  The  conspirators," 
says  Adolphus,  "  had  dispersed  themselves,  immedi- 
ately after  the  rising  of  the  Assembly,  some  amongst 
the  soldiers  and  people,  whom  they  inflamed  by  the 
most  atrocious^untruths  against  the  royal  family. 
Some  went  to  th*  coffee-houses,  whither  the  National 
Guard  had  retired,  and  performed  the  same  task,  ply- 
ing them  well  with  liquor.  A  third  party  formed  a 
council  with  the  Duke,  where  it  was  agreed  to  murder 
the  King  and  Queen,  La  Fayette  and  D'Estaing,  com- 
mandant of  the  National  Guards  at  Versailles.  This 
arrangement  was  communicated  to  those  who  were  to 
put  it  in  execution  ;  but  as  these  were  many  in  num- 
ber, and  some  of  them  intoxicated,  La  Fayette  heard 
it  mentioned,  as  he  was  going  his  rounds.  Sensible 
that  in  such  a  crisis,  he  could  do  nothing  to  prevent 
the  catastrophe  intended,  he  went  to  the  hotel  of  the 
Prince  de  Poix,  aud  pretended  to  retire  to  rest."* 

Now,  taking  the  whole  of  this  statement  into  con- 
sideration, and  comparing  some  parts  of  it  with  the 


*  See  Adolphus'  Memoirs,  Vol.  ii.  p.  448. 


226  MEMOIRS  OF 


others,  would,  it  is  thought,  convince  any  candid  per- 
son, that  the  account  itself  contains  the  elements  of 
its  own  refutation. 

Who,  for  instance,  except  the  biographer  who  in- 
tended to  destroy  the  character  of  his  own  hero,  would 
have  given  so  silly  an  excuse  for  conduct,  which,  Mr. 
Adolphus  tells  us,  he  could  not  pass  over  without  ani- 
madversion ?  Is  it  to  be  credited,  that  any  advocate 
for  La  Fayette,  would  have  undertaken,  had  he  been 
guilty,  to  defend  him  on  such  grounds  ?  "  Sensible 
that  in  such  a  crisis,  he  could  do  nothing  to  prevent 
the  catastrophe  intended,  he  went  to  the  hotel,  and 
pretended  to  retire  to  rest."  He  had  just  before, 
heard  that  he  himself  was  to  be  murdered  that  night ; 
and  this  circumstance  was  known  to  the  person  who 
framed  the  reasons  for  La  Fayette's  conduct,  and 
makes  a  part  of  those  reasons. 

It  then  stands  thus  :  La  Fayette  is  accused  of  de- 
serting his  post,  at  a  time  when  the  lives  of  the  King 
and  Queen  were  in  danger,  but  his  ac|pers  do  not  pre- 
tend that  this  danger  was  known  to  La  Fayette.  The 
circumstances  of  the  night  only  shew  that  this  was  the 
case.  An  advocate  comes  forward  and  argues  in  ex- 
planation, and  extenuation  of  this  conduct,  that  La 
Fayette,  in  going  his  rounds,  heard  some  of  the  sol- 
diers say  that  the  King,  Queen,  D'Estaing  and  himself, 
were  to  be  sacrificed  that  night,  and  that  he  was  con- 
vinced this  was  the  truth.  After  receiving  this  horrid 
information,  [this  is  the  order  of  the  narrative,]  he 
goes  immediately  to  their  Majesties,  and  informs 
them,  with  great  satisfaction,  that  every  thing  is  quiet 
in  the  camp,  that  the  royal  family  are  in  no  possible 
danger  from  the  soldiers,  and  that  they  had  better  re- 
tire to  rest.  He  then  goes  to  the  National  Assembly, 
and  gives  the  Deputies  the  same  quieting  assurances, 
and  as  an  argument  that  there  was  nothing  to  fear,  in- 
forms them  that  such  was  his  own  conviction  of  safety, 
that  he  should  himself  retire  to  rest.     La  Fayette  knew 


LA  FAYETTE.  327 


all  this  time  that  he  was  to  be  sacrificed,  but  at  the 
same  time  saw  no  means  of  escaping,  and  therefore 
very  prudently  said  nothing  to  the  King  and  Queen  of 
their  approaching  fate,  nor  took  the  least  means  to 
avoid  his  own. 

Now  had  La  Fayette  been  guilty  of  any  misconduct 
on  this  occasion,  it  is  certain  that  no  author,  except 
such  an  one  as  Mr.  Adolphus  himself,  who  turns  every 
thing  into  abuse,  would  have  invented  such  reasons  as 
an  excuse  for  him  ;  and  as  Mr.  Adolphus  has  been 
careful  not  to  quote  his  authority  for  this  defence,  it  is 
quite  fair  that  he  should  take  all  the  credit  of  the  in- 
vention himself. 

But  no  want  of  vigilance  was  at  the  time  attributed 
to  La  Fayette.  It  was  afterwards,  when  his  enemies 
(and  every  honest  man  had  enemies  at  that  time,) 
wanted  an  occasion  against  him,  that  this  circumstance 
was  thought  of,  and  brought  forward  by  the  Orleans 
party. 

Madame  de  Stael  was  present  at  the  Palace  of  Ver- 
sailles at  the  tinie,  and  was  therefore  an  eye  and  ear 
witness  to  all  the  dreadful  circumstances  which  hap- 
pened on  that  night  and  the  following  day,  and  we  take 
the  liberty  of  confronting  Mr.  Adolphus'  account,  with 
the  following  narrative  from  her  French  Revolution, 
vol.  I.  p.  204. — "  While  this  mass  (meaning  the  mob) 
was  on  its  march  towards  us,  we  were  informed  of  the 
arrival  of  M.  La  Fayette,  at  the  head  of  the  National 
Guards,  and  this  was,  no  doubt,'a  ground  of  tranquillity. 
But  he  had  long  resisted  the  wish  of  the  National 
Guard,  andjt  was  only  by  an  express  order  from  the 
Commune  of  Paris,  that  he  had  marched  to  prevent,  by 
his  presence,  the  misfortunes  that  were  threatened. 
Night  was  coming  on,  and  our  dread  was  increased 
with  the  darkness,  when  we  saw  M.  de  Chinou,  who, 
as  Duke  of  Richelieu,  has  since  acquired  so  justly  a 
high  reputation,  enter  the  palace.  He  was  pale,  fa- 
tigued, and  in  his  dress,  like  a  man  of  the  lower  or- 


228  .         MEMOIRS  OF 


ders  :  it  was  the  first  time  that  such  an  apparel  enter- 
ed the  royal  abode,  and  that  a  nobleman  of  the  rank  of 
M.  de  Chinou,  found  himself  obliged  to  put  it  on.  fie 
had  walked  part  of  the  way  from  Paris  to  Versailles, 
mixed  with  the  crowd,  that  he  might  hear  their  con- 
versation ;  and  he  left  them  half  way,  to  arrive  in 
time  to  give  notice  to  the  royal  family  of  what  was  go- 
ing on.  What  a  recital  did  he  give!  Women  and 
children,  armed  with  pikes,  and  scythes,  hastened  from 
all  parts.  The  lowest  of  the  populace  were  brutaliz- 
ed still  more  by  intoxication  than  by  rage.  In  the 
midst  of  this  infernal  band,  there  were  two  men  who 
boasted  of  having  got  the  name  of  "  heads-men,"  (cou- 
pel  tetes,)  and  who  promised  to  make  good  their  title 
to  it.  The  National  Guard  marched  with  order,  was 
obedient  to  its  commander,  and  expressed  no  wish  but 
that  of  bringing  the  King  and  Assembly  to  Paris.  At 
last,  M.  de  La  Fayette  entered  the  palace,  and  cross- 
ed the  hall  where  we  were,  to  go  to  the  King.  Every 
one  surrounded  him  with  ardour,  as  if  he  had  been  the 
master  of  events,  while  the  popular  party  was  already 
stronger  than  its  leader;  principles  were  now  giving 
way  to  factions,  or  rather  were  used  by  them  only  as 
pretexts." 

"  M.  de  La  Fayette,"  continues  Madame  de  Stael, 
"  seemed  perfectly  calm  ;  has  never  been  seen  other- 
wise, but  his  delicacy  suffered  by  the  importance  of 
the  part  he  had  to  act ;  to  ensure  the  safety  of  the  pa- 
lace, he  desired  to  occupy  the  posts  of  the  interior; 
the  exterior  posts  only  were  given  to  him.  This  refu- 
sal was  natural,  as  the  body  Guards  ought  not  to  be 
removed  ;  but  it  had  almost  been  the  cause  of  the 
greatest  misfortunes.  M.  de  La  Fayette  left  the  pa- 
lace, giving  us  the  most  tranquillizing  assurances;  we 
all  went  home  after  midnight,  thinking  that  the  crisis 
of  the  day  was  over,  and  believing  ourselves  in  perfect 
security,  as  is  almost  always  the  case  after  one  has  ex- 
perienced a  great  fright  which  has  not  been  realized. 


LA  FAYETTE.        ,  223 


At  five  in  the  morning,  M.  de  La  Fayette  thought  that 
all  clanger  was  over,  and  relied  on  the  Body  Guards, 
who  had  answered  for  the  interior  of  the  palace.  A 
passage  which  they  (the  Body  Guards,)  had  forgotten 
to  shut,  enabled  the  assassins  to  get  in.  A  similar  ac- 
cident proved  favourable  to  two  conspiracies  in  Rus- 
sia, when  outward  circumstances  were  most  tranquil. 
It  is  therefore  absurd  to  censure  M.  de  La  Fayette  for 
an  event  that  was  so  unlikely  to  occur.  No  sooner 
was  he  apprized  of  it,  than  he  rushed  forward  to  the 
assistance  of  those  who  were  threatened,  with  an  ar- 
dour, which  was  acknowledged  at  the  moment,  before 
calumny  had  prepared  her  poison. 

w  On  the  6th  of  October,"  says  she,  "  a  lady  enter- 
ed my  room  :  She  came  in  a  panic  to  seek  refuge 
among  us,  although  we  had  never  had  the  honour  of 
seeing  her.  She  informed  me  that  the  assassins  had 
made  their  way  even  to  the  Queen's  anti-chamher ; 
that  they  had  massacred  several  of  her  guards  at  the 
door,  and  that,  awakened  by  their  cries,  the  Queen 
had  only  saved  her  life  by  flying  into  the  King's  room 
by  a  private  passage.  I  was  told  at  the  same  moment, 
that  my  father  had  already  set  out  for  the  palace,  and 
that  my  mother  was  about  to  follow  him  ;  I  made 
haste  to  accompany  her." 

"  A  long  passage  led  from  the  conlrole  generate, 
where  we  lived,  to  the  palace.  As  we  approached 
we  heard  musket  shots  in  the  courts,  and  as  we  cross- 
ed the  gallery,  we  saw  recent  marks  of  blood  on  the 
floor.  In  the  next  hall  the  body  guards  were  embra- 
cing the  national  guards,  with  that  warmth  which  is 
always  inspired  by  great  emergencies  ;  they  were  ex- 
changing their  distinctive  marks,  the  national  guards 
putting  on  the  belts  of  the  body  guards,  and  the  body 
guards  the  tri-coloured  cockade.  All  were  then  ex- 
claiming with  transport,  Vive  La  Fayette  !  because  he 
had  saved  the  lives  of  the  body  guards  when  threaten- 
ed by  the  populace.     We  passed  amidst  these  brave 

20 


;5G  MEMOIRS  OF 


men,  who  had  just  seen  their  comrades  perish,  and 
were  expecting  the  same  fate.  Their  emotion,  re- 
strained  though  visible,  drew  tears  from  the  eyes  of 
the  spectators." 

The  correctness  of  Madam  de  Stael's  account  cannot 
be  doubted,  but  it  was  published  long  after  Adoiphus 
wrote  his  Memoirs,  and  therefore  occasion  might  pos- 
sibly be  taken  to  conclude  that  this  error  was  corected 
too  late  to  have  come  to  the  knowledge  of  Adolphus, 
But  to  show  that  the  last  named  author  intended  be- 
yond all  doubt,  to  give  a  false  colouring  to  La  Fay- 
ette's conduct  on  that  occasion,  it  is  only  necessary 
to  quote  Dr,  Moore's  statement  of  the  same  transac- 
tions, and  to  inform  the  reader  that  Adolphus  has  quo- 
ted Dr.  Moore  repeatedly  in  his  Memoir  of  La  Fay- 
ette, and  therefore  must  have  been  aware  that  his  own 
animadversions  gave  an  entirely  different  colouring 
from  those  of  at  least  one  respectable  author.  Nor  is 
it  in  this  instance  only,  that  Adolphus  has  taken  the 
liberty  to  differ  from  every  other  author,  who  lies  un- 
der the  eye  of  the  writer,  in  respect  to  the  transac- 
tions of  La  Fayette's  life,  or  the  motives  of  his  con- 
duct ;  and  in  nearly  every  instance  where  he  has  dif- 
fered from  others,  he  has  not  tailed  to  display  a  mali- 
cious pleasure  in  attempting  to  hide  the  generous  and 
noble  traits  of  his  character,  under  the  sombre  shade 
of  his  own  vindictive  and  ignoble  animadversions. — 
The  writer  can  assign  no  other  reason  for  the  occa- 
sion of  remarks,  which  might  appear  harsh  to  those 
who  have  never  read  Adolphus,  than  that  the  latter 
was  probably  a  high  ministerial  partizan  during  our 
revolution,  and  had  sworn  never  to  forgive  La  Fay- 
ette for  the  part  he  took,  and  the  honour  he  acquired 
in  that  struggle. 

Our  extract  from  Dr.  Moore  is  as  follows  :  Vol.  2. 
p.  17.  il  It  has  been  asserted  by  M.  de  La  Fayette's 
enemies,  that  he  eppected  to  retire  to  rest,  knowing 
that  the  palace  ivas  to  be  attacked;  that  he  might  no* 


LA  FAYETTE.  23: 


be  thought  to  have  any  part  in  the  horrid  attempt 
which  took  place  during  his  absence.  But  whatevei 
blame  he  may  be  charged  with  for  not  taking  more 
effectual  means  for  guarding  the  palace,  or  for  giving 
way  to  the  desire  of  rest  at  such  a  period,  the  exces- 
sive fatigues  both  of  mind  and  body  which  he  had  un- 
dergone, precludes  the  suspicion  of  affectation,  and  his 
conduct  from  the  moment  he  was  awakened,  as  well 
as  his  general  behaviour  and  character  through  life. 
must  satisfy  the  candid  and  impartial,  that  accusation 
is  unjust,  and  that  he  had  not  the  least  notion  when 
he  retired  that  the  castle  would  be  attacked." 

"  Notwithstanding  some  scenes  of  confusion,  which 
no  activity  could  prevent,  the  manner  in  which  he 
suppressed  the  great  insurrection  in  the  Champ  de- 
Mars  on  the  17th  of  the  following  July,  and  the  state 
of  tranquillity  in  which  Paris  was  kept  during  the 
whole  time  that  the  Marquis  de  La  b'ayelte  had  the 
command  of  the  national  guards,  compared  with  the 
horrid  scenes  that  were  acted  there  after  it  was  en 
trusted  to  others,  afford  reason  to  believe  that  it  would 
have  been  fortunate  for  the  royal  family,  and  for 
France,  that  he  had  been  continued  in  that  command  ; 
in  which  case  the  insurrection  of  the  10th  of  August 
would  not  have  happened,  or  if  it  had,  the  issue  would 
prabably  have  been  different,  and  the  massacres  in 
September  would  certainly  have  been  prevented,'5 

In  this  statement  it  will  be  remarked  that  Dr.  Moore 
does  not  take  into  account  the  two  all-important  facts 
stated  by  Madam  de  Siael,  viz.  that  La  Fayette  did 
not  have  command  of  the  interior  of  the  palace,  that 
being  entrusted  to  the  body  guards  ;  and  that  a  gate 
or  entrance  was  kept  unclosed,  of  which  La  Fayette 
could  have  known  nothing,  and  which  it  was  the  par- 
ticular duty  of  the  body  guards  to  have  secured.  At 
that  place  it  was  that  the  assassins  found  e  -.trance. 
How  then  could  La  Fayette  by  responsible  for  this 
negligence,  when  it  was  absolutely  without  the  boun 


232  MEMOIRS  OF 


dary  of  his  command  ?  La  Fayette  retired  to  rest  about 
three  or  four  in  the  morning  ;  and  about  six,  different 
groups  of  the  rabble,  of  both  sexes,  who  had  left  Pa- 
ris the  preceding  day,  and  had  been  spending  the  night 
in  drinking,  met  near  the  palace.  It  was  evident  that 
La  Fayette's  orders  were  not  weli  obeyed,  as  he  had 
set  his  guards  at  all  the  avenues  of  the  external  courts, 
and  it  is  probable  that  after  the  fatigues  of  the  day, 
some  of  the  parties  fell  asleep,  or  were  intoxicated, 
otherwise  the  rabble  could  not  have  entered.  But 
having  found  their  way  in,  it  was  proposed  by  some  of 
this  united  band  of  ruffians,  to  attack  the  body  guards, 
who  were  few  in  number.  This  was  no  sooner  pro- 
posed  than  executed.  Without  meeting  with  any  re- 
sistance from  the  national  militia  of  Vrer.>ailles,  those 
wretches  rushed  furiously  across  the  courts,  crying, 
''-  Tuez  les  guardes-du-corps* point  de  qualier."*  Two 
of  the  body  guards  were  immediately  killed,  and  others 
wounded,  and  driven  within  the  palace.  One  party 
of  these  ruffians,  with  horrid  threats  and  imprecations, 
attempted  to  foice  their  way  into  the  apartments  of 
i\\e  Queen.  Tiie  alarm  being  given  to  those  persons 
who  were  in  the  inner  chamber,  that  the  Queen's  life: 
was  in  danger,  the  entrance  of  the  ruffians  was  opposed 
by  one  of  the  body  guards,  until  he  fell,  covered  with 
wounds.  Two  wrcsches,  dressed  like  fisher-women, 
then  stepping  over  his  body,  rushed  into  the  Queen's 
bed-chamber,  but  finding  she  had  escaped,  their  rage 
was  terrible.  The  terrified  Queen,  hearing  the  cries 
of  death  among  her  faithful  guards  near  her  room,  and 
knowing  her  own  life  was  sought  for,  had  run  half  na- 
ked into  the  King's  chamber.  The  King  on  the  first 
alarm  had  hastened  to  the  Queen's  room  by  anothei 
passage,  and  some  of  the  attendants,  anxious  for  the 
]ife  of  the  Dauphin,  had  run  and  brought  him  from 


Kill  the  body  guards,  give  no  quarter. 


LA  FAYETTE. 


the  children's  room.  On  the  return  of  the  King  to 
his  own  room,  lie  found  the  young  Prince  in  the  arnv 
of  his  mother. 

General  La  Fayette,  whose  lodgings  were  at  some 
distance  from  the  palace,  as  soon  as  he  was  informed 
what  was  happening,  started  from  his  bed.  mounted, 
his  horse,  and  having  summoned  a  company  of  grena- 
diers, many  of  whom  had  beionged  to  the  National 
Guards,  conjured  them  to  accompany  him  to  the  pa- 
lace, and  save  the  lives  of  the  royal  family  from  assas- 
sination, ainl  the  French  name  from  everlasting  infamy. 
They  arrived,  just  as  the  ruffians  were  attempting  to 
force  the  King's  apartment.* 

The  first  thought  that  occurred  to  the  humane  mind 
of  the  King,  after  finding  his  own  family  protected, 
was  to  save  the  body  guards,  who  were  pursued  and 
searched  for,  with  sanguinary  fury  by  the  assassins. 
The  King  recommended  them,  in  the  most  earnest 
terms  to  La  Fayette,  and  his  grenadiers.  Fifteen  of 
the  body  guards,  who  had  opposed  the  first  entrance  of 
the  mob  into  the  palace,  having  been  surrounded  and 
overpowered,  were  still  in  the  hands  of  those  savages, 
who  were  preparing  to  put  them  to  death  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  grand  stair-case.  "Grenadiers,"  cried  La 
Fayette  to  his  soldiers,  "you  will  not  suffer  those 
brave  men  to  be  assassinated  in  that  cowardly  man 
ner."  The  grenadiers  immediately  interfered,  and 
saved  their  lives.  La  Fayette,  meantime  endeavour* 
ed  to  soothe  the  populace,  and  prevent  further  outra- 
ges. But  eight  other  gentlemen  of  the  body  guards, 
having  been  driven  from  the  palace,  were  concealed 
in  one  room  in  the  town.  A  party  of  the  most  profli- 
gate Paris  mob,  being  informed  where  they  were,  sei- 
zed them,  and  conducted  them  back  to  the  palace,  for 
the  purpose  of  putting  them  to  death,  directly  under 
the  King's  window.     In  this  avowed  design,  they  were 

*  Moore. 
20* 


:>;i4  MEMOIRS  OF 


not  opposed  by  the  militia  of  Versailles.  One  of  the 
prisoners,  an  old  officer,  with  grey  hairs,  addressin;.: 
the  multitude  said,  "  Our  lives  are  in  your  power  ; 
you  may  murder  us  ;  but  that  will  abridge  our  lives  but 
a  short  time  ;  and  we  shall  not  die  dishonoured." 

An  officer  of  the  Parisian  national  guards,  struck 
with  this  short  address,  and  the  undaunted  military 
looks  of  the  prisoners,  burst  through  the  crowd,  threw 
his  arms  about  the  venerable  officer's  neck,  and  cried, 
"  No,  we  will  not  put  to  death  brave  men  like  you." 
Others  then  joined  in  this  sentiment,  and  these  sol- 
diers were  saved  from  the  swords  of  the  murderers. 

So  soon  as  these  transactions  were  known  to  the 
National  Assembly,  the  President  proposed  to  remove 
to  the  grand  saloon  of  the  palace,  where  they  might 
assist  to  orotect  the  King.     But  Mirabeau*  who,  un- 


*  Count  de  Honore  Gabriel  Riquetti  Mirabeau,  one  of  the 
leaders  in  the  French  revolution,  was  born  in  1749.  After 
serving  some  time  in  the  army,  he  espoused  a  rich  heiress  of 
Aix,  but  he  soon  squandered  away  the  fortune  he  received 
with  her,  and  plunged  himself  in  debt.  He  was  confined  in 
different  prisons,  and  on  obtaining  his  liberty,  eloped  to  Hol- 
land with  the  daughter  of  the  president  of  the  Parliament  of 
Besancon.  For  this,  he  was  afterwards  imprisoned  in  the 
castle  of  VnicenneSj  and  remained  there  a  considerable  time. 
In  1780,  he  regained  his  liberty,  and  his  first  act  was  to  re- 
claim his  first  wife,  who  refused  to  live  with  him.  He  had 
the  audacity  to  plead  his  cause  before  the  parliament  of  Aix, 
but  without  success.  The  French  Revolution  offered  Mira- 
beau an  ample  element  for  his  activity.  Imbibing  the  delu- 
sive doctrine  of  equality,  he  opened  a  shop,  over  the  door  of 
which  was  inscribed,  Mirabeau,  dealer  in  drapery.  He  was 
elected  deputy  of  the  third  estate  of  Aix,  and  the  courtiers 
termed  him  the  Plebeian  Count.  In  the  National  Assembly, 
he  displayed  great  powers  as  an  orator,  but  was  extremely 
violent  and  vindictive.  He  died  in  the  midst  of  his  political 
career,  as  it  is  supposed,  of  poison,  1794,  and  his  obsequies 
were  celebrated  with  great  pomp. — Watkins'  Biog.  Die. 


LA  FAYETTE.  235 


doubtedly,  was  then  of  the  Orleans  faction,  arose,  and 
exclaimed,  "  It  is  unbecoming  our  dignity,  it  is  eveii 
unwise  for  us,  to  desert  our  post,  at  a  moment  when 
real  or  imaginary  dangers  seem  to  threaten  the  pub- 
lic." 

At  this  time,  Mirabeau  knew  that  several  of  the 
guards  had  been  murdered,  and  that  the  King  wa? 
considered  in  danger  of  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
mob.  This  cool  and  unshaken  effrontery,  and  this 
resolution  not  to  assist  the  royal  family,  probably  arose 
from  the  connexion  Mirabeau  had  with  the  insurrec- 
tion, and  his  wish  that  the  mob  might  prevail. 

The  King's  mind  was  greatly  affected  with  the 
death  of  the  guards,  who  had  fallen  in  defence  of  his 
family  ;  and  notwithstanding  all  the  assurances  of  La 
Fayette,  while  he  walked  through  his  palace,  accom- 
panied and  protected  by  the  General,  he  was  making 
continual  inquiries  concerning  the  body  guards ;  and 
his  anxiety  wasjuch,  that  he  appeared  at  the  balcony, 
and  assured  the  crowd  below,  that  the  guards  were 
unjustly  accused,  and  interceded  in  their  behalf. 

Some  of  the  populace  calling  out  for  the  Queen, 
she  appeared  at  the  balcony,  with  the  Dauphin. 
and  the  Princess  royal  with  her.  Instead  of  being 
softened,  by  seeing  the  mother,  with  her  infants  by 
her  side,  some  of  the  barbarians  cried  out,  "  away  with 
the  children  ;"  plainly  indicating,  that  they  intended 
to  tire  on  the  Queen,  when  the  children  were  removed. 
The  Queen,  however,  obeyed,  and  sent  the  children 
away,  and  then,  turning  to  the  multitude,  she  stood  a- 
lone,  upright  and  undaunted.  This  mark  of  confi- 
dence seemed  to  disarm  them,  and  the  most  barbarous 
joined  in  a  general  shout  of  applause,  in  the  midst  of 
which  the  Queen  retired. 

Soon  after  the  Queen  had  disappeared,  the  leaders 
of  the  multitude  resumed  the  great  object  of  their  ex- 
pedition to  Versailles,     Voices  were  heard,  exclaim- 


23d  MEMOIRS  OF 


ing  "  Lelioi  a  Paris."*  The  voices  multiplied  eveny 
moment ;  and  at  last,  nothing  was  heard,  but  a  Paris ! 
a  Paris ! 

The  King  had  no  choice  left.  It  would  not  have 
been  in  the  power  of  La  Fayette  himself,  to  have  sav- 
ed the  lives  of  the  royal  family,  had  he  refused.  He 
declared  his  intention,  therefore,  of  going  that  very 
day  to  Paris,  with  his  family  5  and  his  intention  being 
notified  to  the  crowd,  by  notes  and  cards  thrown  from 
the  windows  of  the  palace,  were  received  by  the  popu- 
lace with  acclamations. 

As  soon  as  it  was  announced  in  the  National  Assem- 
bly, that  the  King  had  determined  to  go  to  Paris,  a 
decree  was  passed,  that  the  Assembly  should  also  re- 
move there.  A  deputation  of  one  hundred  members 
from  that  body,  was  appointed  to  accompany  his  Ma- 
jesty to  the  capital.  In  answer  to  the  decree  which 
the  deputation  sent  him,  the  King  replied,  as  though 
they  had  been  the  most  loyal  subjects  ; — u  That  he 
had  the  most  lively  sense  of  this  fresh  testimony  of  the 
Assembly's  attachment ;  and  that  the  most  earnest 
wish  of  his  heart  was,  that  he  might  never  be  separated 
from  it." 

The  mob  which  surrounded  the  palace  began  to 
manifest  uneasiness  at  the  delay  of  the  royal  family's 
journey.  The  preparations  were  therefore  hastened, 
and  they  set  out  from  Versailles  about  one  o'clock. 
which  was  announced  by  a  volley  of  musquetry  from 
the  troops.  A  company  of  one  hundred  Swiss  guards 
surrounded  the  king's  coach,  and  a  troop  of  dragoons 
preceded,  and  another  followed  it.  The  national 
guards,  commanded  by  La  Fayette,  had  begun  their 
march  a  little  before.  Various  bands  of  fisherwomen 
were  intermingled  with  all  the  different  corps.  Some 
were  seated  in  waggons  ornamented  with  green  boughs, 
and  white,  red  and  blue  ribbons, — some  astride  on  the 

*  "  The  King  to  Paris." 


LA  FAYETTE  237 


cannon,  and  many  on  horseback,  generally  two  on  the 
same  horse,  some  of  them  wearing  the  hats  of  the  body 
guards  on  their  heads,  which  they  had  taken  at  the  pa- 
lace. Some  wore  belts  across  their  shoulders,  and 
carried  sabres  in  their  hands.  Now  and  then  they 
would  rend  the  air  with  their  savage  shout?,  or  the  cho  ■ 
russes  of  their  vile  songs. 

In  the  middle  of  a  band  of  these  sanguinary  hags, 
two  men,  with  arms  naked  and  bloody,  carried  pikes, 
on  the  points  of  which  were  the  two  heads  which  they 
had  severed  from  the  body  guards  they  had  murdered 
in  the  palace.  A  horrible  spectacle,  and  a  sickening 
prelude  to  the  more  than  savage  barbarities  which 
were  afterwards  committed  ail  over  the  kingdom. 

Now  and  then  the  procession  was  made  to  halt,  for 
the  purpose  of  firing  fresh  vollies,  and  that  the  soldiers 
and  poissardes  might  be  refreshed  with  wine.  On  these 
occasions,  the  poissardes  joined  hands  and  danced 
around  the  bloody  heads  which  were  fixed  on  the  pikes. 
What  rendered  this  scene  completely  horrid,  was  the 
presence  of  the  body  guards  who  had  been  saved  by 
the  grenadiers,  and  were  now  marched  in  triumph,  and 
disarmed,  in  sight  of  the  heads  of  their  murdered  com- 
panions. 

About  seven  in  the  evening,  this  dreadful  army  ar- 
rived at  Paris.  The  city  was  illuminated,  and  the 
King  was  received  with  shouts  and  acclamations,  which 
he  was  informed  proceeded  entirely  from  the  over- 
flowing loyalty  of  his  good  subjects.  As  the  proces- 
sion moved  to  the  Hotelle  de  Ville,  the  people  ex- 
claimed vive  le  Roi,  from  all  quarters.  On  entering 
the  town  house,  where  a  throne  had  been  erected  by 
his  dutiful  subjects,  a  loyal  speech  was  pronounced  by 
one  of  the  presidents  of  the  common  council.  But  it 
is  most  probable  that  the  unfortunate  King  was  well 
aware  how  much  reliance  he  could  place  on  these  de- 
monstrations of  loyalty,  and  it  must  have  been  a  sad 
and  most  humiliating  reflection  to  him,  that  all  this 


238  MEMOIRS  OF 


show  of  respect  and  esteem,  was  nothing  but  a  display 
of  national  hypocrisy. 

The  Duke  of  Orleans,  as  head  of  the  third  party, 
began  to  have  great  influence  with  the  populace.  La 
Fayette  saw  this,  and  determined  to  rid  the  country  oi 
a  character  so  influential  and  yet  so  odious,  in  the  es- 
timation of  every  man  of  principle.  In  effecting  thic 
design,  La  Fayette  took  advantage  of  the  following 
circumstance  : 

Some  time  previous  to  the  King's  leaving  Versailles, 
a  secret  committee,  consisting  of  the  Duke  of  Orleans, 
Mirabeau,  La  Clos,  the  Abbe  Sieyes,  and  La  Touche 
Treville,  met  near  Paris,  and  agreed  on  a  scheme  for 
placing  Orleans  in  such  a  situation  in  the  government, 
that  by  the  assistance  of  his  fortune,  he,  with  his  asso- 
ciates, would  have  complete  command  of  the  mob  of 
Paris,  and  a  decisive  weight  in  the  National  Assembly. 
At  the  time  when  the  mob  assailed  Versailles,  and 
there  were  signs  of  considerable  defection  among  the 
guards  ;  the  King  and  court,  as  we  have  already  seen, 
were  in  a  state  of  great  danger  and  alarm.  Mirabeau, 
as  prompter  to  the  Duke,  told  him  that  this  was  the 
exact  state  of  things,  in  which  the  King  could  not  re- 
fuse him  any  demand  he  might  make,  and  therefore 
persuaded  him  to  go  directly  to  his  Majesty,  demand 
an  audience  ;  offer  his  services  for  the  restoration  of 
the  public  tranquillity,  and  at  the  same  time  request 
that  he,  Orleans,  might  be  appointed  Lieutenant  Gene- 
ral of  the  kingdom. 

When  Orleans*  entered  the  palace  to  demand  his  au> 

*  Philip  Louis  Joseph,  Duke  of  Orleans,  was  born  at  St. 
Cloud,  1 3th  April,  1747,  and  had  the  title  of  Duke  de  Char- 
ges during  his  father's  life.  From  his  earliest  years  he  de- 
voted himself  to  low  pleasures,  but  with  the  desire  to  acquire 
consideration  in  the  fleet,  he  entered  in  the  navy,  and  he  ob- 
tained the  command  of  the  St.  Esprit,  of  84  guns,  in  1778, 
under  the  orders  of  admiral  Orvilliers.     The  sight  of  the 


LA  FAYETTE.  23* 


uience,  he  found  that  every  thing  there  was  in  a  state 
of  the  utmost  confusion.  The  ladies  of  the  court  were 
crossing  the  apartments  in  tears,  and  recommending 
.themselves  to  the  officers  of  the  guard  for  protection- 
The  officers  were  hurrying  from  one  part  of  the  palace 
to  the  other,  in  great  agitation,  and  the  cabinet  coun- 
cil was  sitting,  without  being  able  to  decide  what 
measures  to  pursue.  Although  hardened  in  cruelty 
and  blood,  Orleans  could  not  but  be  affected  at  the 
sight  of  such  distress,  particularly  when  he  knew  that 

English  fleet,  it  is  said,  terrified  the  cowardly  prince,  and 
during  the  action,  which  was^fonghJ  ofTUshant  with  admiral 
Keppel,  it  is  reported  that  he  concealed  himself  in  the  hold 
of  the  ship  till  the  danger  was  over.  This  conduct  was  ridi- 
culed not  only  by  the  wits  of  Paris,  but  by  the  court,  and  the 
duke  felt  the  severity  of  the  satire  so  deeply  that  he  deter- 
mined on  revenge.  His  immense  fortune  gave  him  every 
opportunity  to  raise  disturbances  and  create  dissatisfaction, 
and  he  followed  the  iniquitous  propensities  of  his  heart.  In 
17.°>7  he  succeeded  to  his  father's  title,  and  soon  after,  the 
revolution  afforded  him  occasions  to  gratify  his  revenge 
against  the  court.  Though  exiled  and  threatened,  he  main- 
tained his  rancorous  opposition  ;  he  became  one  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  national  assembly,  and  as  if  ashamed  of  his  fam- 
ily and  of  his  birth,  he  took  the  name  of  Egalite.  While 
the  factious  and  the  vile  used  his  great  opuleuce,  and  his 
powerful  influence  for  their  own  vicious  and  diabolical  pur- 
poses, he  was  satisfied  if  every  measure  tended  to  dishonour 
the  monarch,  and  to  overturn  the  throne,  on  which  he  hoped 
to  seat  himself.  At  the  trial  of  Lewis  XVI.  he  gave  his  vote 
with  the  greatest  indifference  for  the  death  of  the  king,  a 
conduct  which  shocked  even  the  most  abandoned  jacobins  ; 
but  soon  his  own  fate  was  determined  by  those  who  had 
squandered  his  riches,  and  abused  his  confidence.  He  was 
accused,  and  though  he  escaped  to  Marseilles,  he  was  seiz- 
ed and  brought  back  to  Paris,  and  led  ignominiously  to  the 
scaffold,  6th  Nov.  1793.  He  suffered  death  with  more  cour- 
age than  could  be  expected  from  a  man  whose  character  and 
morals  were  so  infamous. — Letnpriere's  Biog. 


240  MEMOIRS  OF 


he  had  been  indirectly  the  cause  of  it,  by  stirring  up 
the  mob  at  Paris.  When  he  went  before  the  King  to 
make  his  request,  conscious  of  his  own  guilt,  and  the  in- 
juries he  meditated  against  the  person  he  addressed,  if 
this  request  was  granted,  he  appeared  confused  ;  his 
tongue  faultered ;  and  when  the  King  demanded  his 
business,  he  had  not  the  hardihood  to  make  his  re- 
quest. But  as  it  was  absolutely  necessary  for  him  to 
say  something,  he  asked  of  his  Majesty  permission  to 
retire  to  England,  in  case  the  present  disturbances 
should  increase. 

La  Fayette  for  some  time  had  observed  that  the  na- 
tional guards  were  not  so  ready  and  cheerful  in  their 
obedience  as  formerly.  On  some  occasions  they  had 
even  manifested  a  tendency  to  mutiny,  andj  the  Duke 
of  Orleans  was  strongly  suspected  of  being  the  author* 
of  this  change,  as  well  as  the  excesses  of  the  rabble. 
La  Fayette,  knowing  that  the  Duke  had  got  liberty  to 
retire  to  England,  waited  on  him  and  abruptly  inform- 
ed him  that  "  it  afforded  matter  of  surprize  that  he 
had  not  gone  to  England,  as  he  had  sometime  before 
told  the  King  was  his  intention  ;  that  the  public  tran- 
quillity did  not  admit  his  remaining  longer  in  France  ; 
that  a  passport  was  prepared  for  him  ;  and  that  the 
pretext  for  his  journey  might,  if  he  pleased,  be  a  pri- 
vate commission  from  his  Majesty."  Although  the 
Duke  had  probably  dropped  all  thoughts  of  this  jour- 
ney, this  address  from  La  Fayette  made  him  determine 
to  set  out  immediately.  It  is  most  probable  that  the 
manner  in  which  it  was  delivered  gave  the  Duke  some 
suspicion  that  the  circumstances  under  which  this  per- 
mission had  been  asked,  might  make  it  most  expedient 
for  him  to  take  his  departure.  When  it  was  announ- 
ced to  the  National  Assembly  that  the  Duke  of  Orleans 
had  obtained  permission  of  the  King  to  retire  to  Eng- 
land, and  that  he  only  waited  for  a  passport  from  the 
Assembly,  it  occasioned  great  surprise.  Mirabeau, 
who  had  expressed  the  utmost  indignation  at  the  cow 


LA  FAYETTE.  241 


ardice  of  Orleans  when  before  the  King,  and  who 
knew  what  effect  the  address  of  La  Fayette  was  about 
to  have  on  him,  hinted  before  the  Assembly  at  the  im- 
perious conduct  of  the  Marquis,  and  the  submission  of 
the  Duke,  in  terms  by  no  means  honourable  to  the 
latter. 

The  National  Assembly  were  received  by  the  in- 
habitants of  Paris,  with  demonstrations  of  joy.  On 
the  day  of  their  first  sitting,  they  were  waited  on  by 
M.  Bailly,*  the  Mayor,  and  La  Fayette,  at  the  head  of 

*  John  Sylvain  Bailly,  a  famous  astronomer,  born  at  Pa- 
ns, 15th  September,  1736.     He  was  carefully  and  tenderly 
educated   by  his  friends,  and   his  mind  was  stored  with  the 
treasures  of  science,  though  without  the  labours  of  classical 
instruction.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  he  wrote  two  tragedies  ;  in 
one  of  which.  Clotaire,  he  painted  in  vivid  colours  the  suf- 
ferings and  the  death  of  a  mayor  of  Paris  by  an   infuriate 
populace  ;  dreadful  prognostic  of  the  miseries  which  awaited 
him.     Dramatic  compositions,  however,  were  not  calculated 
to  display  the  powers  of  his  genius.     The  accidental  friend- 
ship of  the  abbe  de  la  Caille  directed  him  in  the  pursuit  of 
science ;  and,  in  1763,  he  introduced  to  the  academy  his  ob- 
servations on  the  moon,  and  the  next  year  his  treatise  on  the 
zodiacal  stars.     In  1766,  he  published  his  essay  on  the  sat- 
tellites  of  Jupiter,  and  in  other  treatises  enlarged  further  on 
the  important  subject.     In  1775,  the  first  volume  of  his  his- 
tory of  ancient  and  modern  astronomy  appeared,    and  the 
third  and  last  in  1779  ;  and,  in  1787,  that  of  Indian  and  ori- 
ental astronomy,  in  3  vols.  4to.    He  was  drawn  from  his  lite- 
rary retirement  to  public  view  as  a  deputy  to  the  first  national 
assembly ;  and  such  was  his  popularity,  that  he  was,  on  July 
14th,  1789,  nominated  mayor  of  Paris.     In  this  dangerous 
office,  he  conducted  himself  in  a  very  becoming  manner,  ea- 
sier to  check  violence,  and  to  enforce  respect  for  the  laws; 
but   his  impartiality  was  considered  soon  as  a  crime  ;  and 
when  he  spoke  with  reverence  of  the  royal  family,  on  the  trial 
of  the  queen,  he   was  regarded  as  unfit  to  preside  over  the 
destinies  of  a  rebellious  city.     He  descended,  in  1791,  from 
his  elevation,  and  retired  to  Melun,  determined  to  devote  the 
21 


242  MEMOIRS  OF 


a  deputation  from  the  municipality,  with  the  congrat- 
ulations of  the  city  ;  and  in  return,  these  two  gentle- 
men were  honoured  by  a  vote  of  thanks  from  the  As- 
sembly for  the  important  services  they  had  rendered 
the  country  during  its  troubles. 

Such  symptoms  of  harmony  and  good  humour  did 
not  continue  long.  There  was  a  real  scarcity  of  pro- 
visions in  the  city  ;  but  the  poor  supposed,  probably 
in  consequence  of  the  harangues  of  those  who  wished  to 
destroy  the  King,  that  there  was  a  scheme  laid  for  starv- 
ing them.  It  was  also  spread  abroad  that  a  plot  had 
been  laid  to  poison  the  people  with  unwholesome  pro- 
visions, and  it  was  hinted  that  the  count  was  connect- 
ed with  this  conspiracy,  individuals  were  accused  of 
attempting  to  monopolize  the  trade  in  corn,  and  thus 
to  starve  the  poor.  An  affecting  instance  of  the  fate 
which  awaited  any  person  who  was  accused  of  any 
such  crime  before  the  mob,  occurred  in  the  case  of  an 
honest  and  innocent  man  taken  in  Paris  : 

"  A  woman,  instigated  by  personal  malice,  accused 
this  man  of  being  a  monopolist,  and  prompted  the  mob 
to  break  into  his  house  and  search  for  bread.  A  few 
loaves  were  found,  which  were  designed  for  his  own 
family,  and  a  greater  number  of  little  loaves  bespoke 
by  some  members  of  the  National  Assembly,  near 
which  his  bakehouse  was. — This  appeared  to  the  rab- 
ble a  full  proof  of  the  woman's  accusation.  He  was 
dragged  before  the  committee"  sitting  at  the  Hotel  de 
Ville,  who  were  soon  convinced  of  his  innocence,  from 

rest  of  his  life  to  literature  and  science;  but  the  sanguinary 
tribunal  of  Robespierre,  who  knew  his  merit,  and  would  not 
protect  it,  dragged  him  to  execution.  He  lost  his  head  by 
the  guillotine,  12th  November  1793,  exhibiting,  in  death, 
heroism,  resignation,  and  dignity.  Besides  his  great  works^ 
he  wrote  the  eulogies  of  Leibnitz,  Charles  V.  la  Caille,<Cor- 
neille,  two  "  rapports,"  and  left  among  his  papers  memoirs 
of  the  revolution,  and  a  work  on  the  origin  of  fables,  and  of 
ancient  religions. — Lcmpriere's  Bieg. 


LA  FAYETTE.  243 


the  answers  he  made  to  his  accusers,  and  from  the  ex- 
cellent character  given  him  by  those  of  his  neighbours, 
who  followed  him  to  the  committee  ;  but,  fearing  to 
declare  their  real  sentiments,  they  deputed  three  of 
their  own  members  to  inform  the  multitude,  that  the 
baker  was  to  be  carried  before  the  proper  tribunal,  to 
be  tried  according  to  law.  So  far  from  being  satisfied 
with  this,  the  rabble  threatened  to  hang  the  deputies  if 
the  baker  was  not  immediately  delivered  up  to  them. 
The  committee,  as  the  last  means  of  saving  the  poor 
baker,  proposed  to  interrogate  the  witnesses  immedi- 
ately, in  the  great  hall,  and  in  the  hearing  of  the  pop- 
ulace; but  when  the  unhappy  man  was  conducted  to 
the  hall,  he  was  torn  from  the  guards,  murdered  in  the 
square  of  the  Greve,  and  his  head,  fixed  on  a  pike, 
was  met  by  his  young  wife,  three  months  advanced  in 
her  pregnancy,  who  was  rushing  through  the  crowd  to 
lend  her  feeble  aid  to  her  husband."* 

A  murder  so  atrocious,  under  the  eye  of  the  Assem- 
bly and  Court,  was  calculated  to  alarm  the  deputies, 
and  to  render  it  doubtful  whether  the  decree  they  had 
passed,  rendering  their  own  persons  inviolable,  was 
sufficient  to  protect  them  against  the  rabble,  if  any  of 
their  body  should  happen  to  be  singled  out  as  a  victim. 

It  was  therefore  proposed  in  the  Assembly  that  the 
magistrates  should  be  authorized,  on  appearance  of  a 
riot,  to  call  the  assistance  of  the  military,  and  to  raise 
a  red  flag  from  the  town  hou^e,  as  a  signal  for  all  as- 
semblies of  the  populace  to  disperse  ;  and  in  case  they 
refused,  to  order  the  military  to  fire  on  them. 

To  the  passage  of  such  a  decree,  Robespierre,  who 
was  a  deputy  in  the  Assembly,  had  special  objections. 
"  He  confessed  he  had  cordial  affections  for  the  good 
people  of  Paris.  They  were,  he  thought,  seldom  in 
the  wrong  •,  always  meant  to  do  well,  and  could  not  be 
justly  punished  for  the  errors  they  might  commit  when 


*  Moore's  Revolution. 


244  MEMOIRS  OF 


pinched  with  hunger.     How  venial,  said  he,  were  their 
errors  when  compared  with  the  guilt  of  those  who  ob 
structed  provisions  and  created  an  artificial  famine." 

This  speech  flew  from  the  galleries  all  over  the  city, 
and  Robespierre*  was  the  friend  of  the  poor,  and  the 

*  Maximilian  Isodore  Robespierre,  a  sanguinary  dema 
gogue  during  the  French  Revolution.  He  was  born  at  Ar- 
ras, of  poor  parents,  1759,  and  was  educated  at  the  expense 
of  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese.  After  studying  at  Paris,  he  ap- 
plied himself  to  the  law,  and  in  1784,  obtained  the  prize  of 
the  academy  of  Metz,  by  his  discourse  on  the  disgrace 
which  attends  the  relations  of  criminals.  At  the  meeting  of 
the  Constituent  Assembly,  he  obtained  a  seat,  and  began 
now  to  distinguish  himself  more  by  the  originality  of  his  ob- 
servations, than  his  eloquence.  Though  not  visibly  engaged 
in  the  atrocious  scenes  of  the  20th  of  June,  of  the  10th  Au- 
gust, and  of  September,  he  was  anxious  to  reap  the  fruit  of 
those  bloody  transanctions,  and  when  admitted  into  the 
Convention,  he  artfully  employed  his  influence,  and  the 
darkest  intrigues,  to  render  his  opponents  unpopular,  and  to 
lead  them  to  the  scaffold.  With  the  criminal  wish  of  being 
declared  dictator,  he  hastened  the  destruction  of  the  unfortu- 
nate Louis,  and  persecuted  his  innocent  family,  and  after 
making  Danton,  Herbert,  and  others,  the  guilty  ministers  of 
his  atrocious  deeds,  he  prevailed  upon  the  intimidated  Con- 
vention to  send  them  to  the  guillotine.  France  was  now 
filled  with  denunciations  ;  in  every  province,  and  in  every 
town,  tribunals  were  erected,  which  condemned  alike  the  in- 
nocent and  the  guilty,  and  no  man  could  with  safety,  intrust 
his  secrets  or  his  life  in  the  hands  of  his  parent,  his  neigh- 
bour or  his  friend.  Suspicious,  timid  and  irresolute,  the  ty- 
rant had  yet  sufficient  art  to  interpret  the  machinations  form- 
ed against  his  power,  as  treason  against  the  republic,  and  to 
sacrifice  his  personal  enemies  and  his  public  rivals,  as  the 
most  abandoned  and  perfidious  citizens  of  France.  Pro- 
scription thus  followed  proscription,  and  every  day  the 
streets  of  Paris  exhibited  the  melancholy  procession  of 
wretched  victims  dragged  to  the  scaffold,  on  the  accusation 
of  persons  whom  they  had  never  known,  and  for  crimes  which 


LA  FAYETTE.  245 


advocate  of  humanity  and  justice.  It  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  his  popularity,  which  finally  gave  him  power  to 
destroy  the  lives  of  thousands  of  his  fellow  beings. 

Robespierre's  eloquence,  did  not,  however,  prevent 
the  National  Assembly  from  passing  the  decree,  which 


they  never  had  meditated.  If  he  had  known  how  to  spare, 
Robespierre  might  have  longer  continued  to  direct  the  gov- 
ernment of  France  ;  but  his  cowardly  conduct  in  sacrificing 
those  who  were  re^dy  to  be  his  associates  and  ministers  in 
the  vilest  deeds,  at  last  roused  the  courage  of  a  few,  who  sus- 
pected that  they  were  next  marked  for  destruction.  The 
tyrant  and  his  two  accomplices,  Couthon,  and  St.  Just,  were 
suddenly  impeached  in  the  Convention,  and  "  down  with 
the  tyrant ln  were  the  only  exclamations  which  were  heard 
on  all  sides,  when  these  bloody  assassins  attempted  to  as- 
cend the  tribune  to  defend  themselves.  In  vain  the  com- 
mune of  Paris  took  up  arms  against  the  Convention,  to  pro- 
tect its  accused  leaders  ;  Robespierre  was  conducted  as  a 
criminal,  fearful  and  suppliant,  and  no  longer  haughty  and 
ferocious,  to  the  Hotel-de-Ville,  where  a  gen-d'arme  discov- 
ering him  in  the  midst  of  the  uproar  and  confusion,  conceal- 
ed in  an  obscure  corner,  fired  a  pistol  at  him,  and  broke  (• 
pieces  his  lower  jaw.  Extended  on  a  table,  in  the  severest 
agonies,  yet  without  uttering  a  groan,  the  tyrant  viewed  in 
silence  the  preparations  made  for  his  punishment.  On  the 
morrow,  28th  July,  1794,  at  four  in  the  evening,  he  was 
carried  with  twenty-two  of  his  accomplices,  amidst  the 
groans,  the  hisses,  and  <he  rejoicings  of  the  populace,  t» 
that  scaffold  where  he  had  made  to  bleed,  so  many  thousand 
innocent  victims. 

Such  was  the  influence  of  this  sanguinary  monster,  that 
France  forgot  her  religion  and  her  honour  at  his  command  ; 
but  after  he  had  seen  the  altars  insulted,  the  churches  thrown 
down,  and  public  worship  abolished,  he  claimed  the  merit 
of  restoring  to  the  Supreme  Being  some  share  in  the  govern- 
ment of  the  universe,  and  he  appeared  in  the  name  of  the 
Convention  as  the  priest  and  founder  of  a  new  religion,  and 
decreed  with  great  solemnity  that  a  God  existed  in  the 
world.— Lempriere's  Biog.  Dictionary. 
2  j  * 


246  MEMOIRS  01 


for  sometime  had  the  effect  to  produce  order  and  qui 
ctness  in  the  city.  The  National  Assembly,  taking 
the  advantage  of  the  peaceful  condition  of  the  capital, 
applied  to  the  business  of  the  state  with  great  assidui- 
ty. They  abolished  the  lettres  de  cachet,  suppressed 
the  tax  on  salt,  so  oppressive  to  the  poor,  and  lessened 
the  burdens  of  the  lower  orders,  in  many  other  parti- 
culars. They  also,  through  the  influence  of  La  Fay- 
ette, passed  a  decree,  that  all  persons,  whether  profes- 
sing the  Catholic  religion  or  not,  should  be  equally  el- 
igible to  any  office  or  employment. 

They  also  passed  several  decrees,  which  were  un- 
doubtedly exceedingly  severe  and  unjust,  and  among 
these,  none  was  more  so,  than  that  which  took  from 
the  clergy  their  property,  and  applied  it  to  the  exigen- 
cies of  the  state,  By  another  decree,  this  Assembly 
suppressed  all  monastic  establishments,  and  by  anoth- 
er, they  abolished  all  titles  of  Nobility,  and  all  distinc- 
tion of  orders. 

The  Bishop  of  Autun,  better  known  under  the  name 
of  Talleyrand,  and  some  others,  who  were  in  posses- 
sion of  high  ecclesiastical  appointments,  and  had  the 
highest  in  expectation,  supported  the  measure  of  ap- 
propriating the  church  lands  to  the  exigencies  of  the 
state.  Undoubtedly  Talleyrand's  popularity  among 
the  lower  orders  arose  from  this  circumstance. 

Soon  after  the  royal  family  had  removed  to  Paris,  a 
book  was  brought  into  notice,  which  excited  great  and 
universal  attention.  It  was  called  the  Red  Book,  and 
contained  a  register  of  all  the  pensions  and  donations, 
together  with  the  whole  expenditure  of  the  court  of 
France,  for  the  last  twenty  years.  A  committee  had 
been  appointed  by  the  Assembly,  to  make  inquiry  into 
the  expenditure  of  the  court.  The  committee  heard 
of  this  Red  Book,  and  required  of  M.  Neckar,*  the 

*  James  Neckar,  a  native  of  Geneva,  known  as  a  finan- 
cier.    He  was  at  first*  member  of  the  council  of  200  at  Ge- 


LA  FAYETTE. 


minister  of  finance,  that  it  should  be  communicated  to 
them,  as  an  assistant  in  making  out  their  report  to  the 
Assembly.  The  King  expressed  his  reluctance  at 
this  ;  probably  because  he  was  averse  to  having  the 
public  know  the  extent  of  his  grand-father's  profusion. 
There  were  articles  of  a  later  date  too,  which  he 
might  think  it  imprudent  to  expose  to  the  public  eye 
at  that  time.  To  remove  these  difficulties,  Camus, 
the  President  of  the  committee,  wrote  to  M.  Neckar, 
that  there  was  no  intention  on  their  part  of  divulging 
circumstances  which  would  give  uneasiness  to  the 
King,  that  they  should  certainly  conduct  them- 
selves with  delicacy  towards  him,  but  that  it  was  ne- 
cessary that  some  one  of  the  committee  should  make 
extracts  from  the  book  in  question,  that  their  report 


neva,  and  then  went  as  Ambassador  from  the  republic  to 
France,  where,  in  1765,  he  obtained  the  office  of  syndic  to 
the  East  India  Company,  and  in  1775,  was  made  director 
of  the  royal  treasury.  His  abilities  were  so  highly  respect- 
ed, that  he  was,  though  a  foreigner,  twice  elevated  to  the 
rank  of  prime  minister  of  France  ;  but  the  Revolution,  to 
which,  as  some  imagine,  his  financial  schemes  had  imper- 
ceptibly contributed,  destroyed  his  popularity,  and  he  yield- 
eel  to  the  storm,  and  retired  to  Switzerland,  where  he  died 
at  Copet,  1804,  aged  72.  His  wife  was  the  daughter  of  a 
Protestant  divine,  and  rendered  herself  known,  not  only  by 
her  writings,  but  by  the  amiable  virtues  of  her  character. 
When  her  husband  was  raised  to  the  highest  offices  of 
France,  she  did  not  assume  the  manners  of  supercilious 
pride,  but  continued  the  friend  of  the  learned,  and  the  pro- 
tectress of  the  poor,  whose  necessities  she  relieved  with  a 
liberal  hand.  Among  her  illustrious  friends  were  Thomas 
and  Buffon.  She  followed  her  husband's  disgrace  to  Copet, 
where  she  died,  1795.  Her  daughter,  by  M.  Neckar,  mar- 
ried the  Baron  de  Stael  Holstein,  the  Swedish  Ambassador 
at  the  court  of  France;  and  she  has  acquired  some  celebrity 
not  only  by  the  intrigues  which  she  carried  on  during  the 
Revolution,  but  by  '  Delphine,'  a  romance,  full  of  indecent 
and  irreligious  sentiments, — Jjempriere'' $  Biog.  Die. 


248  MEMOIRS  OF 


might  appear  correct  before  the  Assembly.  Under 
the  pledge  of  such  promises,  the  King  entrusted  them 
with  the  book.  But  what  was  the  surprise  of  Neckar, 
two  or  three  days  afterwards,  to  find  that  this  Camus 
had  permitted  the  whole  book  to  be  published,  without 
consulting  either  the  King  or  Assembly. 

Many  articles  of  expenditure,  registered  in  the  Red 
Book,  were  calculated  to  excite  clamour  against  the 
King  and  court.  Camus  and  Neckar  had  a  falling  out 
in  consequence  of  this  conduct,  and  although  the  lat- 
ter was  at  that  time  exceedingly  popular,  his  populari- 
ty began  to  decline  from  that  moment. 

"  With  a  view  to  make  a  deep  and  lasting  impression 
on  the  public  mind,  and  to  connect  the  Revolution 
with  agreeable,  magnificent,  and  religious  sentiments, 
a  great  public  ceremony  had  been  in  preparation  for 
a  considerable  time.  On  this  occasion  the  King,  the 
National  assembly,  and  the  people,  were  to  take  an 
oath  to  maintain  the  Constitution,  as  newly  revised, 
and  to  defend  the  cause  of  liberty. 

"  Another  reason  for  this  ceremony  was,  that  those 
provinces  which  had  enjoyed  peculiar  privileges,  were 
supposed  to  be  irritated  at  their  being  deprived  of  them 
by  the  new  constitution,  and  were  in  hopes  of  having 
them  restored,  provided  the  new  division  of  France  ia* 
to  departments,  could  be  destroyed,  It  was  therefore 
thought,  that  so  important  and  solemn  a  ceremony^ 
being  performed  in  each  department,  would  mark  the 
division  forcibly  in  the  minds  of  the  people. 

"  The  bastile  had  been  taken  on  the  14th  of  July* 
1789,  and  the  14th  day  of  the  same  month,  1790,  as 
being  the  anniversary  of  that  era,  was  fixed  upon  as 
the  day  of  the  ceremony,  and  the  extensive  plain  of 
the  Champ  de  Mars,  for  the  place  in  which  the  cere- 
mony was  to  be  celebrated."* 

Expectation  was  wound  up  to  so  high  a  pitch,  that 

•  Mtore's  RevoluUoa. 


LA  FAYETTE*  245 


numbers  came,  not  only  from  the  distant  provinces  of 
France,  but  from  nearly  all  parts  of  Europe,  to  witness 
the  ceremony.  Among  others  the  Duke  of  Orleans. 
to  whom  such  a  spectacle  was  a  matter  of  the  highest 
interest,  gave  notice  to  the  King  of  his  intention  to  re- 
turn, and  be  present  at  the  scene.  He  also  wrote  to 
the  National  Assembly,  to  give  the  same  notice,  ad- 
ding, that  should  they  think  proper  to  deliberate  on 
the  subject,  he  should  consider  that  as  a  permission  to 
return.  Wheu  the  letter  was  read,  the  Assembly 
threw  their  eyes  on  La  Fayette,  to  ascertain  his  feel- 
ings ;  but  although  he  had  taken  private  means  to  pre- 
vent the  Duke's  return,  well  knowing  the  plots  in 
which  he  was  engaged,  he  did  not  think  proper  to  op- 
pose it  before  the  Assembly.  The  Duke  therefore  re- 
turned. The  formation  of  the  Amphitheatre  for  the 
Confederation  being  a  work  of  immense  labour,  the 
Parisians  began  to  be  afraid  that  a  month  was  not  suf- 
ficient time  for  its  completion.  To  prevent  such  a 
misfortune,  some  of  the  most  zealous  citizens  offered 
their  gratuitous  labour  to  accelerate  the  work.  The 
applause  they  met  with  from  the  citizens,  excited  oth- 
ers to  follow  their  example,  and  in  a  short  time  the 
same  desire  glowed  in  almost  every  breast,  of  what- 
ever sex  or  age.  The  consequence  was,  that  the 
Champ  de  Mars  was  filled  with  gentlemen,  and  even 
ladies,  of  the  first  rank.  All  amusements  were  neg- 
lected for  those  of  wielding  the  spade  and  the  pick 
axe,  and  the  most  dissipated  city  in  the  world  became 
the  most  laborious.*" 

"  Every  district  and  corporation  marshalled  the 
volunteers  belonging  to  them  under  their  respective 
banners,  and  marched  them  daily  to  the  field  of  labour. 
Various  clubs,  societies,  and  associations,  in  fancy 
dresses  suitable  to  the  work  they  were  to  perform, 
went  also  in  procession,  preceded  by  musicians.     In- 

*  Moore's  Revolution. 


250  MEMOIRS  OF 


dividuals  in  all  situations  in  life,  and  of  all  religions. 
Jews  as  well  as  christians,  soldiers  and  priests,  sailors 
and  monks,  judges  and  dancing  masters,  bankers  and 
beggars,  poets  and  advocates,  painters,  actors,  aud 
tradesmen  of  every  kind,  were  seen  working  cordially 
together.*" 

Young  women  of  every  denomination  and  condi- 
tion were  daily  seen  tripping  to  the  field  with  their 
gowns  tucked,  and  belts  of  the  national  ribbon  around 
their  waists.  There  the  lover  wrought  by  the  side  of 
his  mistress,  enlivened  by  her  smiles,  and  encouraged 
by  the  tune  Ca  Ira.] 

"  The  temple  where  the  ceremony  was  to  be  per- 
formed, was  erected  in  the  middle  of  the  Champ  de 
Mars.  In  a  large  circle  on  this  spot,  twelve  posts, 
between  fifty  and  sixty  feet  high,  were  placed  at  equal 
distances,  except  in  front,  where  a  large  space  was 
left  between  them  by  way  of  entrance.  On  each  al- 
ternate post  was  fastened  ivy,  laurel,  &c.  so  as  to  form 
a  thick  body,  which  entirely  covered  up  the  post. 
These  greens  were  then  shorn  into  the  form  of  Doric 
columns,  of  dimensions  proportioned  to  their  height. 
The  intervening  po^ts  were  covered  with  white  cloth, 
which  was  so  artificially  folded,  as  exactly  to  resem- 
ble fluted  pillars  ;  from  the  bases  of  which  ascended 
spiral  wreaths  of  flowers.  The  whole  was  connected 
at  the  top  by  a  bold  festoon  of  foliage,  and  the  capitaJ 
of  each  column  was  surmounted  at  top  by  a  vase  of 
white  lilies.  In  the  middle  of  this  temple  was  placed 
an  altar  hung  round  with  lilies,  and  on  this  was  placed 
the  book  of  the  Constitution.  The  ascent  to  the  altar 
was  by  a  large  flight  of  steps,  covered  with  beautiful 
tapestry.J" 


*  Moore's  Revolution, 
f  A  national  air  so  called, 
%  Residence  in  France, 


LA  FAYETTE.  251 


At  a  short  distance  from  the  altar  was  erected  a 
throne  for  the  King,  and  a  magnificent  pavillion  for  the 
Queen  and  royal  family.  Triumphal  arches  were  al- 
so prepared,  through  which  the  various  processions 
were  to  pass. 

Every  thing  having  been  arranged  and  decorated, 
the  important  era  was  ushered  in  by  the  firing  of  can- 
non, ringing  of  bells,  and  a  show  of  bustle  and  parade 
throughout  the  whole  city. 

At  day- breaks  the  citizens  began  to  assemble  at  the 
ampitheatre,  which  was  capable  of  containing  more 
than  three  hundred  thousand  spectators. 

About  10  o'clock  the  grand  procession  was  formed. 
It  consisted  of  a  band  of  music  ;  a  body  of  the  natipnal 
guards,  led  by  Gen.  La  Fayette,  and  was  followed  by 
the  electors  of  the  city  of  Paris ;  the  principal  mem- 
bers of  the  municipality  ;  the  deputies  of  the  National 
Assembly ;  the  deputies  from  the  different  depart- 
ments ;  a  deputation  from  the  army  and  navy,  headed 
by  the  two  marshals  of  France.  A  body  of  national 
guards  closed  the  procession. 

The  banners,  or  colours  of  each  corps,  reserving 
one  stand  only,  to  distinguish  them  in  the  ranks,  were 
planted  around  the  altar. 

The  different  bodies  which  formed  the  procession, 
had  particular  places  assigned  them.  Two  hundred 
priests,  dressed  in  garments  of  white  linen,  bound  with 
the  national  coloured  ribbons,  stood  on  the  steps  of 
the  altar.  At  the  head  of  these,  stood  the  celebrated 
Talleyrand,  bishop  of  Autun,  who  had  been  appointed 
to  administer  the  oath  of  confederation. 

The  King  had  been  appointed  for  that  day  only,  su- 
preme and  absolute  commander  of  all  the  national 
guards  of  France.  He  named  La  Fayette  as  his  dele* 
gate  to  perform  the  duties  of  the  day  :  so  that  La  Fay- 
ette was  for  this  day  not  only  commander  of  the  na- 
tional guards  o(  Paris,  but  High  Constable  of  all  the 
armed   men   rn   the  kingdom,  which  probably  was  a 


252  ME^OIBS  OF 


greater  number  than  any  kingdom  ever  contained  be- 
fore.* 

The  ceremony  begun  by  the  celebration  of  mass,  at 
which  the  Bishop  of  Autun  officiated. 

La  Fayette,  as  the  representative  of  the  military 
force  of  the  nation,  first  took  the  oath.  When  he  left 
the  foot  of  the  throne  and  moved  towards  the  altar,  the 
trumpets  began  to  sound  ;  and  a  vast  band  of  martial 
raus-ic  continued  to  play  until  he  ascended  the  steps  of 
the  altar.  In  view  of  the  vast  multitude  which  filled 
this  immense  circus,  he  laid  the  point  of  his  sword  up- 
on the  Bible,  which  was  on  the  table  of  the  altar,  and 
raising  his  other  hand  towards  the  sky,  the  music  ceas- 
ed, and  a  universal  stillness  prevailed,  while  he  pro- 
nounced :  "  We  swear  to  be  forever  faithful  to  the  Na- 
tion, to  the  Law,  and  to  the  King ;  to  maintain  to  the 
utmost  of  our  power,  the  Constitution  decreed  by  the 
National  Assembly  and  accepted  by  the  King."  As 
soon  as  he  had  finished,  the  trumpets  began  again  to 
sound,  but  were  drowned  by  the  acclamation,  Vive  la 
Nation. 

All  the  members  of  the  National  Assembly  theu 
standing  up,  the  president  pronounced  the  oath  in  his 
own  name,  and  each  deputy  repeated  aloud  after  the 
president,  "  I  swear."  Here  again  the  trumpets 
sounded,  and  the  people  cried  Vive  la  Nation. 

In  like  manner  all  the  distinct  bodies  took  the  oathv. 
each  individual  of  which  pronounced,  after  his  repre- 
sentative, "  I  swear." 

Lastly  the  King  himself  arose  to  take  the  oath  ;  on 
which  a  body  of  the  national  guards  pressed  near  the 
throne,  which  they  surrounded  with  raised  arms,  while 
he,  stretching  his  hand  towards  the  altar,  repeated  : 
u  I,  King  of  the  French,  swear  to  employ  all  the  pow- 
er that  is  consigned  td  me  by  the  Constitutional  law  of 
the  State,  in  maintaining  the  Constitution,  which  has 


*  Mo»rt\ 


LA  FAYETTE.  253 


been  decreed  by  the  National  Assembly,  and  accept- 
ed by  me  ;  and  I  swear  to  put  the  laws  in  execution.'5 

A  signal  being  given,  that  the  King  had  taken  the 
oath,  the  air  resounded  with  alternate  peals  of  artille- 
ry, and  shouts  of  the  people,  and  thus  ended,  says  Dr. 
Moore,  a  ceremony  which,  notwithstanding  the  good 
intentions  of  many  who  took  the  oath,  has  been  con- 
sidered as  the  greatest  and  most  extensive  act  of  per- 
jury that  heaven  and  earth  ever  witnessed. 

The  new  Constitution,  although  solemnly  sworn  to 
by  the  officers  of  the  army,  was  not  well  received 
among  them.  The  officers  of  the  national  guards,  as 
a  new  corps,  were  not  considered  by  those  of  the  stand- 
ing army  as  their  equals ;  hence  quarrels  arose  be- 
tween them,  and  frequent  duels  was  the  consequence. 
Other  causes,  arising  out  of  the  new  order  of  things, 
served  to  raise  a  spirit  of  discontent  in  the  various  di- 
visions of  the  army,  in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom0 

At  Nantz,  the  capital  of  Lorrain,  where  a  number 
of  regiments  were  stationed,  the  soldiers  made  a  demand 
of  pay  which  was  not  due  them,  and  on  the  refusal  of 
the  officers  to  comply  with  their  demands,  they  broke 
out  into  open  mutiny,  and  seized  the  military  chest. 
On  this  being  known  at  Paris,  the  National  Assembly 
passed  a  decree,  ordering  the  Marquis  de  Bouille  to 
march  with  a  proper  force  to  suppress  the  insurgents. 
On  his  arrival  there,  he  found  that  the  garrison  had 
resolved  to  resist  him,  and  after  remonstrance  and 
persuasion  to  induce  them  to  submit,  he  brought  his 
army  in  front  of  the  garrison,  and  threatened  to  reduce 
the  mutineers  by  force.  The  mutineers  having  a  can- 
non loaded  with  grape  shot,  aimed  it  a  Bouille's  army 
and  fired.  Three  officers,  and  a  considerable  number 
of  soldiers  fell.  Others,  however,  advanced,  and  for- 
cing the  gate,  entered  the  town.  An  awful  scene  of 
carnage  was  commenced.  Most  of  Bouille's  men  who 
first  entered  were  killed  from  the  windows  of  the  hous- 
es.    The  insurgents  were,  however  driven  from  house 

22 


254  MEMOIRS  OF 


to  house,  and  from  street  to  street,  until  three  hundred 
of  them  were  killed.  Fotfr  hundred  were  made  pris- 
oners with  arms  in  their  hands,  and  the  others  laid 
down  their  weapons,  and  submitted  to  the  orders  of 
Bouilie. 

The  news  of  these  transactions  at  Paris,  occasioned 
great  clamour  and  rage  among  the  populace,  who 
loudly  exclaimed  against  Bouilie  for  having  shed  so 
much  blood.  The  Assembly,  however,  passed  a  vote 
of  thanks  to  him  and  his  men,  for  having  so  promptly 
done  their  duty  ;  but  this  had  no  effect,  the  rabble  as- 
sembled in  vast  numbers  around  the  national  hall,  and 
demanded  his  head. 

This  spirit  of  sedition  seemed  to  augment  every  mo- 
ment, and  would  probably  have  produced  dreadful 
effects,  had  it  not  been  for  the  determined  and  judicious 
conduct  of  La  Fayette,  and  the  guards  he  commanded. 

About  this  time,  M.  Neckar,  the  minister  of  finance, 
finding  himself  every  day  losing  popularity,  and  being 
alarmed  for  his  personal  safety,  sent  a  letter  of  resig- 
nation to  the  Assembly.  He  had  lent  government  two 
millions  of  livres,  and  on  his  leaving  Paris,  he  declared 
that  he  left  that  sum,  together  with  his  hotel  and  furni- 
ture, as  pledges  for  the  faithfulness  of  his  administra- 
tion. But  before  he  could  make  his  way  out  of  the 
kingdom,  he  with  his  family,  were  stopped,  insulted, 
taken,  and  guarded  as  state  prisoners.  Thus  was  the 
man,  who  a  few  months  before,  was  adored  by  the 
whole  nation,  forced  to  submit  to  the  rabble,  and  this 
too,  not  because  he  had  committed  a  crime,  but  be- 
cause he  had  lost  his  popularity.  With  much  difficul- 
ty, he,  however,  obtained  his  release,  and  left  the 
kingdom. 

Meantime,  difficulties  arose  with  the  clergy.  It  had 
been  enacted  under  the  new  constitution,  that  every 
beneficed  clergyman  should  take  the  oath  to  be  faithful 
to  the  nation,  the  law  and  the  King.  Many  of  the  cler- 
gy refused  to  take  the  oath.     Whereupon  the  Assem- 


LA  FAYETTE.  25'5 


bly  passed  a  decree,  that  such  of  the  clergy  as  refused 
to  take  the  oath  should  be  ejected  from  their  benefices, 
and  suffer  other  penalties.  The  opinion  of  the  Pope 
of  Rome  on  the  question,  whether  the  clergy  ought  to 
take  the  oath,  was  decidedly  against  it.  This  determine 
ed  many  of  the  clergy  to  refuse  it,  who  had  before  been 
on  suspense.  The  Assembly,  however,  were  strenu- 
ous in  the  enforcement  of  their  decree.  The  conse- 
quence was,  that  out  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  one 
bishops,  only  two  or  three  were  prevailed  on  to  con- 
form to  the  decree,  and  save  their  benefices.  All  the 
rest  were  ejected  from  their  bishopricks. 

So  striking  an  act  of  severity  against  a  body  of  men 
of  so  much  importance,  might  have  been  dreaded  by 
any  government  ;  but  particularly  by  that  of  France, 
in  the  unsettled  state  in  which  it  then  was. 

At  this  time,  the  state  of  public  feeling  had  become 
so  exceedingly  irritable,  and  the.jealousies  of  the  low- 
er orders  so  vigilant,  that  circumstances  which,  in  a 
different  condition  of  things,  Would  not  have  been  no- 
ticed at  all,  now  became  the  causes  of  the  most  violent 
popular  tumult.  As  an  instance,  the  King  had  two 
maiden  aunts,  now  considerably  advanced  in  years, 
who  resided  with  him  in  Paris.  These  ladies  had  long 
wished  to  avoid  the  scenes  of  licentiousness  which 
they  were  obliged  more  or  less  to  witness  at  court,  and 
to  withdraw  from  the  popular  tumult  which  surround- 
ed them  at  that  time  in  Paris.  They  both  entertained 
strong  sentiments  of  devotion,  and  were  excessively 
shocked  at  the  cruelty  with  which  the  ministers  of  re- 
ligion had  been  treated  by  the  Assembly.  They  there- 
fore determined  on  leaving  France,  and  obtained  the 
King's  permission  to  retire  to  Rome,  where,  under  the 
protection  of  the  Pope,  they  might  practice  the  duties, 
and  enjoy  the  consolations  of  their  religion  in  peace. 

No  sooner  was  their  desertion  known,  than  it  exci- 
ted the  greatest  commotion.  A  rumour  was  spread-, 
that  the  King's  brother  and  his  Princess,  intended  to 


256  MEMOIRS  OF 


follow  his  aunts.  A  vast  multitude  therefore  gathered 
at  the  palace  of  Luxemburg,  to  prevent  his  departure. 
But  on  his  assuring  them  that  he  had  no  intention  to 
leave  Paris,  they  retired.  Meantime,  the  maiden  la- 
dies were  twice  arrested  on  their  journey  ;  and  the 
last  time  detained  until  a  deputation  was  sent  to  the 
National  Assembly.  Here  the  matter  was  discussed 
with  warmth  for  several  hours,  when  it  was  finally  de- 
creed, that  the  old  ladies  might  leave  the  kingdom. 

At  this  time,  a  rumour  prevailed,  without  the  least 
foundation,  that  the  castle  of  Vincennes  was  intended 
to  replace  the  Bastile,  and  that  arms  and  ammunition 
had  been  secretly  conveyed  there.  Whether  the  idea 
originated  with  the  rabble,  merely  as  an  excuse  for 
committing  some  outrages,  or  whether  it  was  suggest- 
ed by  some  of  the  leaders  of  factions,  which  then  divi- 
ded Paris,  is  uncertain.  The  idea,  from  whatever 
source  it  arose,  was  sufficient  to  set  the  rabble  in  mo- 
tion. It  was  determined,  that  the  second  Bastile 
should  receive  the  same  fate  as  the  first,  and  on  the 
28th  of  February,  a  large  body  of  men  set  forward 
from  the  suburbs  of  Paris,  with  the  avowed  object  of 
destroying  the  castle  of  Vincennes. 

The  Mayor  of  Vincennes  having  had  notice  of  this 
intention,  demanded  assistance,  and  La  Fayette  sent 
him  a  detachment  of  national  guards.  But  those  who 
were  bent  on  its  destruction,  had  the  address  to  con- 
vince the  troops,  that  the  place  was  intended  by  gov- 
ernment to  be  converted  into  an  engine  of  despotism 
and  cruelty,  that  it  was  worthy  of  entire  destruction, 
and  that  it  would  be  disgraceful  for  the  guards  of  the 
nation  to  attempt  to  prevent  it.  In  consequence  of 
such  arguments,  the  guards,  instead  of  attempting  to 
prevent  its  destruction,  were  actually  disposed  to  as- 
sist in  the  work.  La  Fayette,  having  been  informed 
that  the  work  of  destruction  had  begun,  and  that  the 
troops  remained  passive,  repaired  himself  immediate- 
ly to  the  place.      His  presence  and    expostulations 


LA  FAYETTE.  257 


brought  the  soldiers  to  a  sense  of  their  duty.  He  then 
ordered  them  to  attack  the  rabble,  without  firing  on 
them  ;  this  was  immediately  done,  and  sixty  were  sei- 
zed, and  the  rest  dispersed.  Many  of  them  ran  to  the 
Fauxbourg  St.  Antoine,  to  excite  the  populace  to  at- 
tack the  guards,  and  release  the  prisoners.  La  Fayette 
being  told  that  it  would  be  dangerous  to  march  through 
that  quarter  of  Paris,  as  the  people  were*  in  a  state  of 
insurrection,  placed  the  prisoners  in  the  middle  of  his 
guards,  and  with  some  field  pieces  in  front,  led  them 
directly  through  the  suburbs,  to  the  Town  House  ;  and 
while  the  mob  were  insulting  his  troops,  placed  the 
insurgents  safely  in  prison. 

The  King  had  formed  the  design  of  passing  the  Eas- 
ter holidays  at  St.  Cloud.  This  intention  was  no 
sooner  known,  than  rumours  were  spread,  that  his  de- 
sign was  to  withdraw  from  the  capital,  for  the  purpose 
of  stirring  up  a  civil  war,  or  perhaps  to  quit  the  king- 
dom, and  with  the  assistance  of  some  other  power  to 
invade  France.  On  the  morning  of  the  18th  of  April, 
a  paper  was  posted  on  the  walls  of  the  Palais  Royal, 
by  order  of  a  club,  of  which  Danton*  was  the  head, 

*  George  James  Danton.  a  native  of  Arcis  sur-Aube,  born 
26th  October,  17.59.  H^  was  originally  a  lawyer,  but  the 
Revolution  drew  him  into  public  notice,  as  the  associate  of 
Robespierre  and  iVtarat.  To  an  unprincipled  hatred  against 
Louis  XVI.  he  added  the  most  ferocious  spirit,  and  after 
viewing  the  massacres  of  September  with  pleasure,  he  pre- 
pared to  organize  the  public  bodies  of  the  state,  to  resist  the 
invasion  of  the  Prussians  Undismayed  amidst  the  general 
terror,  he  opposed  the  project  of  removing  the  Convention 
beyond  the  Loire  ;  but  while  he  permitted  the  cruelties  of 
anarchy,  he  secretly  paved  the  way  for  his  own  elevation  to 
the  sovereign  power.  For  a  while,  Robespierre  was  his 
friend,  but  when  he  saw  his  superior  eloquence,  and  his  in- 
fluence among  the  Jacobins,  he  marked  him  for  destruction. 
Dragged  before  the  bloody  Revoutionary  tribunal,  which  he 
had  himself  established,  Danton  showed  firmness  and  indi£ 
22* 


258  MEMOIRS  OF 


and  Marat  a  member.  This  paper  accused  the  King 
directly  of  attempting,  through  the  priests,  to  stir  up 
civil  war,  and  of  preparing,  with  his  family,  to  go  and 
join  the  enemy. 

In  consequence  of  this  report,  great  numbers  assem- 
bled around  the  Tuileries,  where  the  King's  carriages 
were  in  waiting  to  convey  the  royal  family  to  St. 
Cloud.  The  place  being  surrounded  by  the  national 
guards,  the  King  disregarded  the  insojence  of  the  rab-^ 
ble,  went  into  his  carriage,  and  ordered  the  postillion 
to  drive  on  ;  on  which,  instead  of  dispersing  the  mob. 
the  guard  closed  before  the  coach,  threatened  the  pos- 
tillions, if  they  should  dare  to  proceed,  and  swore  that 
the  royal  family  should  not  leave  Paris.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  King's  servants  were  insulted,  and  actually 
dragged  from  his  carriage,  and  one  of  the  Queen's  at- 
tendants narrowly  escaped  with  his  life  from  the  hands 
of  the  rabble.  The  King  had  the  mortification  to 
hear  the  most  insulting  and  abusive  expressions  direc- 
ted to  the  Queen. 

These  gross  insults,  offered  to  the  royal  family,  and 
particularly  to  the  female  part  of  it,  did  not  come  from 
the  lowest  rabble  only  ;  some  citizens  of  rank  joined 
in  them. 

M.  Bailly,  the  Mayor,  hastened  to  the  Tuileries,  to 
suppress  the  disorders,  but  his  commands  were  not 
obeyed.  Gen.  La  Fayette  arrived,  as  soon  as  he  had 
notice  of  the  outrage,  and,  as  commander  of  the 
guards,  ordered  them  to  open  to  the  right  and  left,  and 
clear  the  way  for  the  king's  coach  to  pass,  but  to  his 

ference.  He  was  guillotined  the  first  day  of  April,  1794. 
Indolent,  yet  cruel,  ambitious  and  vulgar,  this  bloody  tyrant 
possessed,  with  a  stentorian  voice,  the  imposing  powers  of 
persuasion,  and,  while  devoted  to  wine  and  low  pleasures,  he 
gained  the  good  opinion  of  his  guilty  associates  by  gross 
ribaldry  and  licentious  wit. — Lempriere's  Biog.  Dictionary* 


LA  FAYETTE.  259 


astonishment  and  mortification,  the  guards  refused  to 
obey  him. 

After  having  been  more  than  three  hours  in  the  car- 
riage, exposed  to  the  insults  and  derision  of  a  lawless 
rabble,  the  King  and  royal  family  were  under  the  ne- 
cessity  of  getting  out  and  walking  back  to  the  palace, 
amidst  their  groans,  hootings  and  hissings. 

The  King  went  before  the  National  Assembly,  and 
complained  of  the  resistance  which  had  been  made  to 
his  going  to  St.  Cloud.  The  Assembly  applauded  the 
King's  speech,  but  took  no  measures  to  punish  the  au- 
thors of  the  outrage. 

La  Fayette  was  so  disgusted  with  the  outrages  of 
the  mob,  and  mortified  with  the  defection  of  the  Na- 
tional Guards,  that  he  resigned  his  command  of  them. 
It  then  appeared  how  much  he  was  beloved.  *"  All 
the  battalions  assembled.  They  appointed  deputa- 
tions to  the  General,  expressing  sorrow  for  their  past 
conduct,  and  promising  implicit  obedience  to  his  fu- 
ture orders,  if  he  would  again  resume  his  command. 
They  also  sent  deputations  to  the  municipalities  of 
Paris,  and  to  the  departments,  entreating  them  to  join 
in  soliciting  the  General  to  continue  their  commander. 

The  Hotel  of  La  Fayette  was  filled  with  these  depu- 
tations from  the  different  battalions,  from  the  time 
that  he  had  given  in  his  resignation,  until  the  follow- 
ing morning  at  five  o'clock.  The  street  in  which  his 
house  stood  was  crowded  with  the  men  who  had  diso- 
beyed him,  all  waiting  with  impatience  for  the  news  of 
his  having  yielded  to  their  entreaties  ;  but  finding  that 
he  still  refused,  they  went  in  crowds  to  the  Town- 
house, and  begged  of  the  Municipality  to  use  their  in- 
fluence with  the  General  that  he  would  again  take  the 
command.  The  Municipality,  perceiving  that  citi- 
zens of  all  the  sections  joined  in  this  request  of  the 
national  guards,  declared  that  they  would  become  re- 


*  Moore's  Revolution. 


260  MEMOIRS  OF 


sponsible  for  the  future  obedience  of  the  battalions, 
and  entreated  the  General  to  yield  to  the  desire  of  his 
fellow  citizens. 

General  La  Fayette  expressed  a  proper  sense  of  the 
honour  done  him  by  those  requests  ;  adding,  that  he 
would  not  give  an  immediate  answer,  but  would,  on 
the  following  day,  attend  the  Municipality  at  the 
Town  house,  and  there  deliver  to  them  his  sentiments. 

The  General  went  accordingly,  at  10  o'clock,  and 
in  the  Common  hall,  where  he  found  all  the  represen- 
tatives of  the  Common  Council,  with  deputies  from  all 
the  battalions  of  the  national  guards,  he  pronounced  a 
discourse  equally  distinguished  for  modesty  and  good 
sense.  He  placed  in  a  strong  point  of  view,  the  hor- 
ror which  every  enlightened  citizen  must  have  felt,  at 
beholding  those,  whose  duty  it  is  to  support  the  laws, 
oppose  their  execution.  He  added  that,  if  the  capital, 
which  was  the  cradle  of  the  Revolution,  instead  of  re- 
specting and  obeying  the  executive  powers,  should  be- 
siege them  with  tumults,  and  fatigue  them  with  insults, 
from  being  an  honoured  example,  it  would  become  the 
terror  of  the  French  nation  ;  that  in  the  marks  of  re- 
gard with  which  his  fellow  citizens  had  honoured  him, 
too  much  attention  had  been  paid  to  an  individual,  but 
not  enough  to  the  laws.  1  am  thoroughly  convinced, 
said  he,  that  my  comrades  love  me  ;  but  lam  still  to 
learn,  how  far  they  are  attached  to  those  principles  on 
which  liberty  is  founded.  And  he  concluded  by  refu- 
sing to  resume  the  command. 

On  this  refusal,  and  these  observations  of  La  Fay- 
ette, it  was  resolved,  that  each  battalion  should  as- 
semble on  the  following  day,  and  make  a  declaration 
of  their  sentiments  on  the  subject  pointed  out  in  the 
General's  discourse.  This  was  accordingly  done  by 
all  the  different  regiments,  and  in  their  declarations, 
instead  of  expressing  attachment  to  their  commander, 
and  wishes  that  he  would  resume  his  station,  they 
spoke  solely  of  their  submission  to  the  law,  their  zeal 


LA  FAYETTE.  261 


for  the  constitution,  and  their  resolution  to  obey  the 
commander  in  chief,  without  once  mentioning  the 
name  of  La  Fayette. 

The  municipality,  having  verified  the  declarations 
of  the  national  guards,  of  the  cannoniers,  of  the  chas- 
seurs, and  of  the  cavalry,  decreed,  that  the  mayor,  at 
the  head  of  a  deputation  of  eight  members  of  the  Com- 
mon Council,  should  wait  on  General  La  Fayette,  and 
represent  to  him,  that  it  would  endanger  the  State,  if 
he  persisted  in  his  first  resolution,  and  that  the  greatest 
proof  of  patriotism  he  could  give,  would  be  to  resume 
the  command. 

Although  La  Fayette  had  determined  not  to  re- as- 
sume his  command,  he  saw  the  impropriety  of  resist- 
ing any  longer ;  he  therefore,  having  returned  proper 
acknowledgments  to  the  deputation,  finally  concluded 
to  comply  with  their  request. 

On  the  following  day,  having  resumed  the  command, 
he  expressed  his  sense  of  the  honour  done  him  by  the 
various  corps;  and  being  then  on  the  parade  before 
the  town  house,  he  proposed  that  they  should  go  in  a 
body  to  the  King,  taking  with  them  all  their  comrades 
whom  they  might  meet  on  the  way,  and  express  their 
sorrow  and  repentance  for  what  was  past,  and  renew 
to  his  Majesty  their  declaration  of  allegiance. 

This  proposal  was  immediately  adopted  ;  La  Fay- 
ette accompanied  them  to  the  Tuileries  ;  addressed 
the  King,  in  the  name  of  all  the  national  guards,  in 
terms  which  had  been  agreed  on,  and  received  a  gra- 
cious reception  and  answer  from  the  monarch.  As 
soon  as  this  was  known,  the  troops  expressed  their 
satisfaction,  by  repeated  exclamations  of  Vive  le  Roi! 
Vive  le  Restorateur  de  la  Liberie  Francoise  !  Vive  le 
Petit-fils  de  Henri  IV.* 

Notwithstanding  these  marks  of  obedience  and  ak 

*  Long  live  the  King !  Long  live  the  Restorer  of  French 
Liberty  !  Long  live  the  grand-son  of  Henry  IV. 


262  /  MEMOIRS  OF 


fection,  the  municipality  thought  best  to  punish,  though 
in  a  slight  manner,  some  of  the  soldiers  who  had  been 
most  forward  in  the  abuse  of  the  King.  It  was  there- 
fore decreed,  that  a  certain  company  should  be  redu- 
ced, and  disbanded  on  this  account  ;  and  that  another 
should  be  raised  in  its  stead.  Buta9  it  was  afterwards 
represented  to  the  municipality,  that  fourteen  only,  of 
the  company,  had  been  guilty  of  the  crimes  charged, 
all  the  rest  were  admitted  into  the  new  company, 
while  the  fourteen  were  disgraced.  This  circumstance 
was  taken  hold  of  by  those  whose  business  it  was  to 
stir  up  sedition,  and  inflame  the  mob,  as  a  pretext  for 
murmurs,  accusation  and  clamour.  These  fourteen 
discharged  soldiers  were  feasted  by  the  Danton  and 
Mm  rat  faction,  and  treated  as  persecuted  patriots, 
while  the  conduct  of  the  Municipality  was  condemned; 
and  La  Fayette  was  accused  as  an  enemy  of  liberty, 
and  of  being  bought  by  the  court.  Emissaries  were 
employed  to  blacken  his  character,  and  misrepresent 
his  conduct,  among  the  groups  of  idlers  in  places  of 
public  resort.  Placards  were  posted  up,  and  pam- 
phlets were  published  against  him.  The  Orleans  par- 
ty, that  vile  and  blood-thirsty  association,  went  so  far. 
as  to  declare  that  it  would  be  an  act  of  merit  to  assas- 
sinate him  ;  and  at  one  of  those  clubs,  where  the  re- 
putations and  lives  of  almost  every  honest  or  virtuous 
man  in  Paris  were  plotted  against,  a  woman,  fired  with 
the  eloquence  of  one  of  the  orators,  swore  she  would 
destroy  him. 

The  prevalence  of  republican  principles  ;  the  dif- 
ficulties which  the  King  had  had  with  the  Assembly  ; 
the  conduct  of  the  mob  towards  the  royal  family,  to- 
gether with  the  high  standing  and  influence  of  the  Or- 
leans faction,  were  circumstances  which  rendered  the 
residence  of  the  Monarch,  in  his  own  capital,  not  only 
disagreeable,  but  dangerous.  It  was  plain  from  what 
had  already  taken  place,  that  he  could  not  under  any 
pretence,  leave  the  city,  if  his  departure  was  known* 


LA  FAYETTE.  263 


If  he  could  leave  the  kingdom,  there  were,  perhaps? 
strong  reasons  to  believe  that,  by  the  assistance  of  oth- 
er powers,  he  might  again  reign  in  peace.  If  the  fac- 
tions which  were  formed  against  him,  should  gain 
complete  ascendancy,  from  the  examples  he  had  al- 
ready witnessed,  he  saw  that  his  life  would  be  demand- 
ed. Under  these  circnmstances,  the  unhappy  mon- 
arch, through  the  assistance  of  M.  de  Bouille,  laid  a 
plan  of  escape. 

M.  de  Bouille  commanded  a  body  of  troops  on  the 
frontier  of  the  kingdom,  and  by  peculiar  management,, 
he  contrived,  without  exciting  suspicion,  to  have  under 
his  immediate  orders,  only  such  as  were  in  the  King's 
interest.  The  news  of  his  departure,  those  in  the  se- 
cret were  well  aware,  would  be  the  signal  for  the  most 
rapid  and  vigorous  pursuit.  But  it  was  thought  that 
he  might  reach  a  distance  before  his  departure  was 
known,  at  which  Bouille  could  meet,  and  defend  him, 
if  necessary.  To  withdraw  any  considerable  number 
of  his  troops  from  the  neighbourhood  of  their  station 
without  orders,  would  excite  suspicion.  The  King, 
therefore,  was  to  arrive  as  near  the  frontier  as  it  was 
thought  possible,  in  a  given  time,  before  Bouille  was 
to  meet  him.  These  arrangements  being  made  and 
understood  by  the  parties,  every  thing  was  prepared 
for  the  hazardous  experiment,  which  is  thus  described. 

On  the  1 7th  of  June,  as  M.  Dumoustier,  who  had 
formerly  belonged  to  the  body  guards,  was  walking 
alone  in  the  garden  of  the  Tuileries,  an  unknown  per- 
son accosted  him,  and  desired  that  he  would  follow 
him  into  the  palace.  He  was  immediately  led  before 
the  King,  who  desired  that  he  would  order  for  himself, 
and  for  Maldent  and  Valory,  two  of  his  old  compan- 
ions, three  couriers' jackets,  of  a  yellow  colour;  and 
that  de  should  walk  on  the  same  evening  on  the  quay 
of  the  Pont  Royal,  where  he  would  be  joined  by  a  per- 
son who  would  give  him  further  instruction. 

All  these  directions  were  carefully  attended  to  :  and 


264  MEMOIRS  OF 


*n  consequence  of  the  instructions  given  to  Dumous- 
tier  by  the  unknown  person  on  the  quay,  Valory  went 
on  the  20th  to  Bondy  to  order  horses  and  wait  there 
for  the  King.     Dumoustier  was  at  the  Porte  St.  Mar- 
tin with  a  coach  and  four.     A  coach  and  only   two 
horses  about  eleven  in  the  Cour  des   princes.     M. 
Maldent  entered  the  palace  privately  at  nine  in  the 
evening,  and  was  conducted  into  a  small  chamber, 
where  he  remained  till  near  twelve.     Nothing  extra- 
ordinary was  observed  in  the  appearance  or  order  of 
the  royal  family.    They  retired  at  the  usual  hour,  and 
gave  the  usual  orders  for  the  following  day.     The 
Queen  then  gave  orders  that  the  prince  and  princess 
royal  should  be  dressed,  and  conducted  to   a  room 
where  she  herself  was,  with  the  king  and  the  princess 
Elizabeth.     There  were  besides,  two  unknown  men, 
one  of  whom  immediately  was  directed  to  conductthe 
two  female  attendants  on  the  prince  and  princess  roy- 
al to  a  chaise,  which  was  found  waiting   for   them  on 
the  Quai  Voltaire.     Having  placed  them  in   the   car- 
riage, their  conductor  withdrew  ;  and  the  ladies  were 
driven  to  Claye.     The  other  unknown  person  accom- 
panied the  prince  and  princess  royal,  and  having   en- 
tered a  coach  with  two  horses,  they  were  soon  joined  by 
the  Queen  and  princess  Elizabeth,  who  came  without 
any  attendant,  and  were  helped  into  the  carriage  by 
the  coachman.     The  King  came  last,  attended  by  M. 
Maldent,  who  mounted  behind  the  coach,  which  was 
immediately  driven  to  Porte  St.  Martin,    and   having 
exchanged  it  for  the  carriage  with    four  horses,  they 
were  all  driven  to  Bondy,  where  M.  Valory  had  horses 
in  readiness.     Although  the  royal  family  came  out  of 
the  carriage  at  some  of  the  post  houses  on  the  road, 
and  the  King  conversed  familiary  and  with  apparent 
ease  with  several  persons  he  met  there,  they  were  not 
once  suspected  to  be  other  than  the  characters  they 
assumed,  until  they  arrived  at  St.  Menehould,  about 
170  miles  from  Paris. 


LA  FAYETTE.  265 


The  King's  brother  and  his  consort  were  compre- 
hended in  M.  Bouille's  plan.  They  left  the  palace  of 
Luxembourg  about  the  same  time  that  the  King  left 
the  Tuileries  ;  but  it  was  agreed,  for  various  reasons, 
that  they  should  take  a  different  road  ;  and  according- 
ly directing  their  course  by  Flanders,  they  arrived 
safely   at  Mons. 

The  King  and  Queen  were  not  so  fortunate,  though 
at  Menehould,  it  might  be  supposed,  they  thought  ail 
their  danger  over.   But  it  happened  otherwise.    Drou- 
et,  the  post  master  at  this  place,  had  never  seen  eith- 
er the  King  or  Queen  ;  but  he   had  seen  a  portrait  of 
her  Majesty,  and  this  circumstance  decided  the  fate  of 
the  Royal  pair.     Struck  with  the  resemblance  of  that 
picture,  to  his  guest,  the  Baroness  KnorF,  which  was 
the  title  the  Queen  assumed,  his  suspicion  was  excited. 
Another  circumstance  which  he  could  not  understand, 
was,  that  on  the  same  day  there  arrived  at  Menehould 
two     detachments   of  troops.     While  ruminating  on 
these  mysterious  occurrences,  he  observed  the  officer 
who  commanded  a  detachment  of  the  dragoons  speak- 
ing to  one  of  the  couriers  in  a  manner  which  excited 
further  suspicion.     At  the  same  time,  the  other  couri- 
ers having  paid  the  former  postillions  with  uncommon 
liberality,  were  hurrying  the  new  ones  to  make  haste. 
Connectingall  these  observations  together,  Drouet  was 
strongly  suspicious  that  his  guests  were  the  Royal  fam- 
ily.    Still  they  did  not   form   a    presumption   strong 
enough  to  justify  him  in  stopping  the  carriages,  which 
were  allowed  to  proceed.     But  soon  after  their  depar- 
ture, when  Drouet  saw  that  the  dragoons  were  prepar- 
ing to  follow  them,  his  suspicions   amounted,    in   his 
mind,  to  a  certainty,  and  without  further  hesitation  he 
called  out  "  To  arms"  asserting  that  it  certainly   was 
the  Royal  family  which  had  just  departed,  and  that  it 
was  the  duty  of  good  citizens  to  prevent   their   going 
out  of  the  kingdom.     He  immediately  instigated   all 
the  people  around  to  hinder  the  dragoons  from  foJlow- 

23 


266  MEMOIRS  OF 


ing  the  carriages,  and  his  directions  were  literally  fol- 
lowed. The  whole  detachment  of  dragoons  seem  to 
have  been  struck  with  an  apathy  altogether  unaccount- 
able. Instead  of  silencing  Drouet,  and  riding  full 
speed  after  the  King,  they  remained  passive,  while 
Drouet  and  another  person  set  forward  on  horseback 
with  all  expedition  to  Varennes,  and  arrived  at  the 
inn  some  minutes  before  the  King. 

They  immediately  informed  Le  Blanc,  the  inn  keep- 
er, that  the  King  and  royal  family  would  arrive  in  a 
few  minutes,  and  that  their  intention  was  to  leave 
the  kingdom.  The  town  was  instantly  in  alarm.  Le 
Blanc,  with  a  few  followers,  armed  themselves  and  met 
the  carriages  and  ordered  them  to  stop  ;  while  Drou- 
et and  others  upset  a  loaded  waggon  on  the  bridge  to 
intercept  their  passage,  in  case  they  should  attempt  to 
proceed  by  force.  The  postillions  were  offering  to 
proceed,  but  were  threatened  to  do  so  on  peril  of  being 
^hot.  An  officer  of  the  police  coming  to  the  carriage, 
was  presented  with  a  regular  passport  for  the  Baron- 
ess Knoff  and  her  family,  going  to  Frankfort.  It  was 
signed  Louis*  and  countersigned  Montmorin.  The 
magistrate,  without  discovering  that  he  had  any  suspi- 
cion of  the  persons  alleged,  that  it  was  too  late  to  ex- 
amine passports,  it  being  then  midnight,  and  that  the 
roads  being  bad,  he  would  accommodate  the  whole 
party  at  his  house  till  morning.  This  offer  was  ac- 
cepted, partly  through  the  fear  of  attempting  to  pro- 
ceed by  force,  and  partly  in  hopes  that  the  dragoons 
would  arrive. 

Soon  after,  a  party  of  hussars  arrived,  under  the 
command  of  an  aid  to  Gen.  Bouille.  They  drew  up 
before  the  magistrate's  house,  while  the  magistrate, 
not  being  absolutely  certain  that  this  was  the  King, 
went  to  the  house  of  M.  de  Lon,  who  had  seen  his  Ma- 
jesty, and  requested  him  to  go  and  ascertain  this  im- 
portant point. 

On  their  arrival  at  the  magistrate's  house,   de   Lon 


LA  FAYETTE.  267 


was  conducted  into  the  chamber  where  the  Royal  fam- 
ily were  ;  and  the  instant  he  saw  the  King,  he  signifi- 
ed by  an  expressive  look  that  it  was  certainly  Louis. 

The  unhappy  King  observing  this,  thought  that  all 
further  dissimulation  would  be  vain  ;  turning  therefore 
to  the  magistrate,  he  said,  with  great  emotion,  Oui  je 
suis  votre  Roi.  Place  dans  la  capitale  au  milieu  des 
poignards  et  des  bayonettes,  je  viens  chercher  en  pro- 
vince, au  milieu  de  mes  fideles  sujets,  la  liberte  et  la 
paix  dout  vous  jouissez  tous.  Je  ne  puis  plus  rester 
a  Paris  sans  y  mourir,  ma  famille  et  moi."* 

He  concluded  this  affecting  address  by  conjuring  the 
magistrate  and  all  in  his  hearing,  to  assist  him  in  mak- 
ing his  escape.  The  magistrate  replied,  that  he  had 
sworn  to  be  faithful  to  the  nation,  the  law  and  the 
King,  and  that  he  should  betray  all  three  by  comply- 
ing with  this  request.  He  begged,  therefore,  that  his 
Majesty  would  give  over  all  thought  of  proceeding  fur- 
ther, and  consent  to  return  to  the  capital.  The  Queen, 
shocked  with  the  idea  of  being  dragged  back  to  Paris, 
taking  the  Dauphin  in  her  hand,  in  the  most  pathetic 
terms,  conjured  the  magistrate,  and  all  who  heard  her, 
to  save  the  lives  of  their  King  and  his  children,  by  as- 
sisting them  to  escape  ;  for  that  misery  and  ruin  await- 
ed them  at  the  capital. 

Meantime  it  was  found  that  the  hussars,  who  had 
come  to  recal  the  King,  had  been  gained  over  by  the 
national  guards,  and  on  the  next  day  an  aid-de-camp 
of  General  La  Fayette,  with  orders  from  the  National 
Assembly,  arrived  at  Varennes.  He  presented  these 
orders  to  the  King,  and  represented  to  him  the  univer- 
sal uneasiness  which  his  withdrawing  had  occasioned. 

*  Yes,  I  am  your  King.  Being  surrounded  in  the  capital 
by  daggers  and  bayonets,  I  come  to  my  faithful  subjects  of 
this  province  in  search  of  that  liberty  and  safety  which  you 
all  enjoy.  My  family  and  I  were  in  continual  danger  of  be- 
ing murdered  at  Paris. 


268  MEMOIRS  OF 


The  unfortunate  monarch  replied,  that  he  never  in- 
tended to  go  out  of  France.  That  his  plan  was  to  go 
no  further  than  Montmedi,  and  that  the  safety  of  him- 
self and  family  required  that  they  should  retire  from 
Paris,  which  was  governed  by  the  populace.  And  he 
again  insisted  on  being  permitted  to  proceed  on  his 
journey,  inviting  the  magistrate  and  the  national  guards 
to  accompany  him  thither.  In  reply  to  this,  the  ma- 
gistrate could  only  repeat  his  former  entreaties,  that 
his  Majesty   would  consent  to  return  to  Paris. 

The  royal  family,  therefore,  were  obliged  to  set  out 
for  the  capital,  guarded  by  a  numerous  band  of  nation- 
al guards,  and  accompanied  by  the  Municipal  officers 
of  Varennes.  Several  parties  of  Boui lie's  troops  ar- 
rived soon  after  the  departure  of  the  King,  and  an  at- 
tempt was  made  to  rescue  him,  but  in  this  they  failed. 

The  news  of  the  King's  flight  from  Paris  occasioned 
the  most  vehement  commotion  in  that  city.  It  was 
known  about  8  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  his  depar- 
ture. Cannon  were  immediately  fired,  the  tocsin 
sounded,  the  national  guards  were  summoned  to  be 
underarms,  and  people  hurried  from  all  quarters  to  the 
gardens  of  the  Tuileries.  Indignation  prevailed  among 
the  populace,  and  all  signs  which  had  on  them  the 
portraits  of  the  King  and  Queen,  were  torn  down  and 
trampled  under  foot.  A  man  named  Louis,  was  obli- 
ged to  erase  his  name  from  his  sign. 

The  officer  who  commanded  the  body  guard,  was 
saved  from  being  murdered  by  the  mob,  by  the  nation- 
al guards.  The  steady,  prudent  and  firm  conduct  of 
La  Fayette,  and  the  guards  he  commanded,  was  of  the 
utmost  consequence  on  this  occasion.  Numerous 
lives  were  saved  by  their  interposition. 

La  Fayette,  in  consequence  of  being  a  known  friend 
to  the  royal  family,  though  a  promoter  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, fell  under  the  suspicion  of  the  populace.  The 
undeviating  course  he  had  pursued,  both  as  a  member 
of  the  first  Assembly,  and  commander  in  chief  of  the 


LA  FAYETTE.  269 


national  guards,  had  procured  for  him  the  homage  and 
respect  of  men  of  principle  and  virtue.  But  humanity 
and  justice  at  that  day,  were  unpopular  in  the  French 
capital.  La  Fayette  was  suspected  of  being  privy  to 
the  King's  flight.  The  populace  did  not  know  that  in 
the  articles  proposed  to  the  King,  by  the  foreign  courts, 
it  was  expressly  stated,  that  La  Fayette  was  not  to 
be  trusted.  The  contrivers  of  that  plan,  knew  that 
his  principles  would  not  admit  of  his  joining  them,  and 
that  it  would  be  vain  to  attempt  his  corruption.  La 
Fayette  was  protected  by  the  national  guard  from  the 
populace  ;  and  when  some  insinuations  were  thrown 
out  to  his  disadvantage,  in  the  National  Assembly,  he 
was  defended  by  Barnave,*  who  declared  that  La  Fay- 

*  Ba'rnave,  next  to  Mirabeau,  the  most  conspicuous  mem- 
ber of  the  first  National  or  Constituent  Assembly,  was  ori- 
ginally a  native  of  Grenoble,  and  an  advocate  in  its  Parlia- 
ment. While  running  so  brilliant  a  career,  bis  age  did  not 
exceed  twenty-seven  years.  It  would  be  impossible  for  us, 
even  in  the  compass  of  this  volume,  to  do  complete  justice  to 
the  character  of  this  extraordinary  young  man  ;  his  history 
wholly  includes  that  of  the  first  three  years  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. It  will  suffice  for  our  purpose,  to  make  a  selection  of 
the  most  important  facts  in  which  he  was  the  chief  actor. 

On  the  famous  20th  of  June,  1789,  when  the  National 
Assembly  met  in  the  tennis-court  at  Versailles,  Barnave  ex- 
hibited, for  the  first  time,  his  wonderful  powers  of  eloquence, 
in  a  speech,  the  object  of  which  was  to  prove,  that  there 
existed  in  the  King's  Council  an  intention  to  dissolve  the 
States-General,  and  that  the  Assembly  ought  to  take  an  oath 
never  to  separate,  until  the  objects  of  their  mission  had  been 
completely  attained. 

On  the  24th  of  the  same  month,  he  moved,  contrary  to  the 
King's  express  order,  that  the  sittings  of  the  Assembly 
should  be  made  public  ;  it  being  singular,  he  said,  that  the  na- 
tion should  be  refused  admittance  into  the  national  Assem- 
bly. He  was  the  chief  author  of  the  law  which  was  enacted 
in  October,  1789,  decreeing,  that  no  bankrupt,  or  insolvent 
23  * 


270  MEMOIRS  OF 


ette  had  proved  himself  the  friend  of  liberty  from  the 
beginning  of  the  Revolution,  and  that  he   merited  the 

debtor,  should  become  a  member  of  any  Municipality,  or  of 
ihe  Provincial  and  National  Assemblies.  At  this  period,  he 
however,  disgraced  his  philosophical  character,  by  an  ex- 
pression, uttered  in  the  heat  of  debate — Ce  sang  etoit  il  done 
si  pur  ? — Was,  then,  that  blood  so  pure  ? — on  an  occasion, 
when  moderate  men  were  denouncing  the  assassinations 
committed  by  the  Parisian  mob  upon  the  King's  life  guards 
in  Versailles,  on  the  memorable  night  of  the  5th  of  October. 
Barnave  was  perpetually  upon  the  stage  during  the  whole 
year  of  1790.  In  the  sitting  of  the  12th  of  March,  he  was 
the  member  who  moved  for  the  suppression  of  the  religious 
orders.  u  What  I  propose  is  not  for  our  own  benefit/7  said 
he.  with  his  usual  eloquence  ;  "  it  is  for  the  benefit  of  the 
religious  persons  themselves  ;  it  is  not  we,  but  they,  who 
stand  in  need  of  that  freedom,  which  they  have  so  impru- 
dently alienated.  We  ought  to  abolish  those  restraints,  even 
though  we  should  be  losers  by  our  conduct :  I  am  not  pro- 
posing a  financial  operation,  but  a  moral  and  political  ar- 
rangement." 

The  sitting  of  the  22nd  of  June  was  wholly  occupied  by 
Barnave,  in  opposition  to  Mirabeau,  on  the  question  of  the 
power  to  be  delegated  to  the  King,  of  making  war  and 
peace  :  his  speeches  on  this  occasion,  are  esteemed  the  best 
he  ever  delivered. 

He  was  a  steady  promoter  of  the  emancipation  of  the  ne- 
groes in  the  colonies  :  and  having  carried  his  point,  he  wrote 
some  instructions  on  the  best  mode  of  convoking  the  Colo- 
nial Assemblies.  His  conduct,  however,  in  this  affair,  was 
highly  disapproved  of  by  the  French  politicians,  who  ima- 
gined, that  an  unbounded  liberty  to  the  negroes  would  be  fa- 
tal to  the  West  Indies.  Some  of  them,  who  gave  Barnave 
full  credit  for  the  goodness  of  his  intentions,  ascribed  his 
conduct  simply  to  his  violent  patriotism  ;  others  thought, 
however,  that  he  ought  to  be  judicially  condemned  for  his 
rashness.  Of  the  latter  opinion,  was  the  author  of  a  pamph- 
let, entitled,  The  portrait  of  the  French  Legislators,  publish- 
er1 at  Paris,  in  the  year  1791. 


LA  FAYETTE.  271 


confidence  of  the  Assembly.     He   was   accordingly, 
confirmed  in  the  command  of  the    national  guards. 


Barnave,  like  the  great  part  of  the  constituents,  was  at- 
tached to  a  limited  monarchy.  He  was  appointed  by  the 
National  Assembly,  jointly  with  Latour-Maubourg,  and  Pe- 
tion,  to  meet  the  royal  family,  when  returning  to  Paris,  after 
their  flight  to  Varennes. 

The  three  Deputies  were  seated  in  the  same  carriage  with 
the  King  and  Queen  ;  and  it  was  obvious,  that  both  of  them 
bestowed  upon  Barnave  so  marked  a  degree  of  preference,  as 
greatly  to  exasperate  the  others.  This  flattering  conduct, 
aided  by  the  winning  address  of  her  Majesty,  and  the  affect- 
ing point  of  view  in  which  they  appeared,  had  the  effect  of 
converting  Barnave  to  their  interest.  In  the  subsequent 
struggles,  therefore,  he  lent  his  support  to  the  royal  party, 
with  so  much  energy  and  success,  that  he  obtained  a  degree 
of  oblivion  for  the  conduct  of  the  court  in  that  affair. 

Upon  the  conclusion  of  the  session  of  the  National  Assem- 
bly, Barnave  was  appointed  by  his  countrymen,  mayor  of 
Grenoble.  He  likewise  married  the  only  daughter  of  a 
conseiller  des  aides,  of  the  same  city,  with  a  dowry  of 
700,000  livres. 

He  did  not  however,  long  enjoy  either  dignity  or  fortune. 
In  the  year  1794,  when  a  persecution  was  begun  by  the  ter- 
rorists, against  all  those  who  were  constituents,  or  considered 
as  well  affected  to  monarchy,  Barnave  was  seized  by  the  Re- 
volutionary committee  of  Grenoble,  and  transferred  to  the 
bloody  and  unsparing  tribunal  of  Dumas,  in  Paris.  His  be- 
haviour, during  his  mock  trial,  was  resolute  and  highly  in- 
trepid. On  the  question  of  the  President,  why  he  became  a 
royalist, he  boldly  answered — "I  was  the  most  zealous  ad- 
vocate of  freedom,  so  long  as  it  was  founded  upon  the  prin- 
ciples of  philosophy  ;  but  I  detest  it,  as  a  tool  of  mischief,  in 
the  hands  of  miscreants  like  you." 

This  great  man  was  sent  to  the  guillotine  on  the  12th  of 
April,  1794,  in  the  33d  year  of  his  age. 

Barnave's  eloquence  is  said  to  have  been  the  effect  of  long 
study,  joined  to  professional  practice  at  the  bar,  and  neither 
natural  nor  affecting,  especially   when  compared   with   the 


272  MEMOIRS  OF 


As  soon  as  it  was  known  to  the  National  Assembly, 
that  the  royal  family  had  been  arrested  at  Varennes,  a 
commission  was  appointed  by  that  body  to  meet  them, 
with  full  powers  to  order  whatever  they  should  think 
necessary,  for  their  accommodation  and  security,  on 
their  way  to  Paris. 

On  their  arrival  at  Paris,  the  streets  through  which 
the  sad  procession  passed,  were  crowded  by  the  pop- 
ulace, some  of  whom  insulted  them  by  making  a  mock 
reverence.  On  the  seat  of  the  King's  carriage,  sat 
the  three  body  guards,  who  acted  as  couriers,  with 
their  arms  bound,  and  following  this,  in  an  open  cabrio- 
let, was  placed  Drouet,  crowned  with  laurels,  for  hav- 
ing instigated  the  arrest  of  his  Majesty. 

The  procession  having  stopped  at  the  Tuileries,  the 
royal  family  were  again  lodged  in  that  palace,  under 
the  responsibility  of  La  Fayette.  The  question  now 
was,  whether  the  King  was  subject  to  trial,  or  punish- 
ment. Great  pains  were  taken  by  the  Orleans  party, 
to  convince  the  people,  that  the  King's  intention  was 
to  join  the  emigrants,  and  foreign  forces,  and  invade 
his  own  country.  Some  enthusiasts  of  this  party,  who 
expected  that  Orleans  would  be  appointed  Regent, 
during  the  Dauphin's  minority,  declared,  that  the 
peace  of  France  requried,  that  the  King  should  be  im- 
mediately  dethroned. 

Condorcet,*  an  atheist,   though  a  powerful   writer, 

fascinating  speeches  of  Mirabeau.  The  latter  was  the  ora- 
tor, the  former  the  rhetorician. 

Barnave  possessed  considerable  personal  courage.  In  a 
duel,  which  took  place  between  him  and  de  Cazales,  who 
had  called  him  a  banditto,  the  seconds  reported,  that  he 
waited  with  great  sang  froid,  and  an  unmoved  countenance 
while  his  antagonist  ground  the  flint  of  his  pistol,  which 
would  not  strike  fire. — Biog,  Anecdotes. 

*  John  Anthony  Nicholas  Caritat,  Marquis  of  Condorcet, 
one  of  the   founders  of  the  French  republic,  was  born  1 7th 


LA  FAYETTE.  273 


concentrated  all  his  powers  to  refute  the  arguments  in 
favor  of  a  monarchical  government.    Brissot  and  Tho- 

Sept.  1 743,  at  Ribemont,  in  Picardy,  of  a  noble  family.  He 
preferred  the  pursuits  of  literature  to  the  military  profession, 
and  studied  mathematics  and  belles  lettres,  at  the  college  of 
Navarre,  and  at  the  age  of  21,  he  gained   the  applauses  of 
the  learned,  by  his  ingenious  memoir  on  the  calcul  differen- 
tiel,  which  was  received  by  the  academy  of  Paris  with  mark- 
ed approbation.     He  afterwards  became  the  friend  of  d'Al- 
embert,  and  of  Voltaire,  and  corresponded  with  the  King  of 
Prussia,  and  when  made  Secretary  of  the  Academy  of  Sci- 
ences, he  distinguished  himself  by  the  spirited  eulogies  which 
he  pronounced  on  the    meritorious  services  of  his  departed 
brethren.     In  the  Constituent  Assembly,  he  was  made  Gov- 
ernour  to  the  Dauphin;  but  his  zeal  in  favour  of  republican 
principles,  overpowered  the   respect  which  he  owed  to  ma- 
jesty, and  though  patronised  by  Louis  XVI.  he  ventured   to 
recommend  the   abolition  of  monarchy,  and  the  triumph  of 
liberty.     But  though   hostile  to  the  monarchy,  he   showed 
some  compassion  for  the  King,  and  opposed  his  violent  trial ; 
but  his  measures  were  viewed  with  jealousy  by  Robespierre 
and  his  party,  and  he  was  regarded  as  a  hypocrite,  who,  un- 
der the  mask  of  moderation  and   philosophy,  aspired  at'  the 
sovereign  power.     He  was  therefore  condemned,  28th  July, 
1793,  as  one  of  the    Girondists,  and  for  a  while  concealed 
himself  at  Paris,  but  afterwards  sought  refuge  at  the  house  of 
a  friend  in  the  country.     His  friend    unfortunately   was  ab- 
sent, and  he  was  obliged  to  hide  himself  for  several  nights  in 
some   quarries,  till   hunger    forced  him  to   seek    relief  in  a 
neighbouring  tavern.     His  long  beard,  squalid  appearance, 
and  the    voracious  appetite    with   which  he   devoured   the 
bread  placed   before  him,  rendered    him   suspected,  he  was 
arrested  and   might  have  escaped  under  the   character  of  a 
distressed  servant,  but  a  Horace  found  in  his  pocket,  proved 
him  to  be  a  man  of  education  and  of  consequence.     On  the 
morrow,  the  gaoler  found  him  dead,  a  sacrifice  either  to  ex- 
cessive fatigue    and    continued    want,  or  to   poison,  28th 
March,  1794.     In   his  character,  Condorcet  was  weak  but 
ambitious,  fond  of  novelty,  and,  in  pursuit  of  imaginary  hap- 


274  MEMOIRS  OF 


mas  Paine  joined  in  the  clamour  against  the  power  and 
danger  of  Kings,  and  this  club,  so  entirely  void  of 
principle  itself,  undertook  to  model  the  French  gov- 
ernment, on  what  they  termed  "  Republican  princi- 
ples." Paris  being  filled  with  publications  calculated 
to  inflame  the  people  against  the  very  existence  of 
royalty;  while  orators  went  about  the  streets  har- 
anguing the  mob  against  the  conduct  of  the  National 
Assembly,  because  they  had  passed  some  mild  and 
judicious  decrees  concerning  the  King, — the  capital 
was,  at  this  time,  torn  by  factions,  and  ruled  by  the 
mob. 

Robespierre,  coming  out  of  the  Assembly,  after  the 
passage  of  those  decrees,  said  to  the  rabble  who  col- 
lected around  him,  ualas,  my  friends,  all  is  ruined  ;  the 
King  is  to  be  restored."  This  was  repeated  all  over 
Paris,  as  a  certain  proof,  that  the  Assembly  had  turned 
traitors,  and  that  the  country  was  undone.  The  thea- 
tres were  shut,  as  in  times  of  great  public  calamity, 
and  the  people  assembled  at  the  Champ  de  Mars,  to 
sign  a  declaration  denouncing  the  King,  and  demand- 
ing of  the  National  Assembly,  that  they  should  take 
means  to  free  the  French  throne  of  a  man,  who  was 
called  a  fugitive,  and  a  traitor.  This  declaration  was 
drawn  up  by  the  heads  of  two  different  factions. 

As  soon  as  the  Assembly  were  informed  of  these 
proceedings,  they  ordered  the   Municipal   officers  to 

pines?,  little  attentive  to  the  feelings  of  humanity,  the  calls  of 
virtue,  and  the  precepts  of  Christianity.  He  was,  according 
to  d'Alembert,  a  volcano  covered  with  snow.  His  writings 
were  respectable.  Besides  a  sketch  of  the  progress  of  the 
human  mind — a  treatise  on  arithmetic — a  tract  on  calcula- 
tion, and  on  the  problem  of  the  three  bodies,  &c.  he  wrote 
eulogies  on  Bernouilli,  d'Alembert,  Euler,  Jussieu,  Buffon, 
and  others,  which  possessed  great  merit,  though  that  on 
Voltaire>  is  considered  as  turgid  and  insignificant.  His  pub- 
lications vvere  26  in  number. — Lempriere's  Biog.  Die. 


LA  FAYETTE.  275 


their  bar,  and  directed  them  to  take  measures  to  dis- 
perse these  tumultuous  Assemblies,  and  punish  their 
promoters. 

Accordingly,  orders  were  issued  to  La  Fayette  to 
disperse  all  groups  in  the  streets,  or  assemblies  in  the 
fields,  and  to  seize  the  disobedient,  and  carry  them  to 
prison. 

Vast  numbers,  however,  flocked  to  the  Champ  de 
Mars,  to  sign  the  declaration  ;  which  was  done  on  the 
altar  of  the  confederation.  The  fury  of  the  multi- 
tude seemed  to  augment  with  their  numbers,  but  no 
unfortunate  object  had  yet  appeared,  on  whom,  with 
any  excuse,  they  could  vent  their  rage.  At  this  time, 
there  was  discovered,  under  the  boards  of  which  the 
altar  was  made,  two  men,  one  a  soldier,  with  a  wooden 
leg,  and  the  other  a  hair-dresser.  They  had  the  cu- 
riosity to  secrete  themselves  there,  to  observe  who  as- 
cended the  altar,  to  sign  the  declaration.  They  were 
immediately  dragged  out,  and  accused  of  having  an  in- 
tention of  blowing  up  the  patriots,  both  male  and  fe- 
male, who  went  to  Sign  the  declaration.  No  investi- 
gation was  made,  no  examination  of  the  ground  under 
the  altar  took  place.  It  was  enough  that  they  were 
accused.  Death  quickly  followed.  These  poor  in- 
nocent persons  were  taken  by  the  mob  to  the  nearest 
lanthorn  posts,  and  hanged.  Their  heads  were  then 
cut  off,  stuck  upon  pikes,  according  to  custom,  and 
marched  in  procession  before  the  windows  of  the 
Palais  Royal. 

La  Fayette  immediately  marched  with  a  detachment 
of  guards,  to  disperse  the  rabble,  and  take  the  atrocious 
murderers.  Martial  law,  meantime,  was  proclaimed, 
and  a  red  flag  displayed  from  the  Town  house.  When 
the  guards  arrived  at  the  Champ  de  Mars,  M.  Bailly, 
the  Mayor,  and  La  Fayette,  used  every  remonstrance 
to  persuade  the  multitude  to  disperse,  but  in  vain. — 
La  Fayette  then  ordered  a  part  of  his  men  to  fire  over 
their  heads.     When  they  found  that  none  were  woun- 


276  MEMOIRS  OF 


ded,  they  grew  still  more  outrageous,  and  insulted, 
and  even  wounded,  some  of  the  national  guards. 
They  were  then  commanded  to  fire  upon  the  aggres- 
sors. This  was  done  promptly,  and  between  60  and 
70  were  killed,  or  wounded.  The  mob  then  fled  into 
the  city,  where  they  tried  to  instigate  the  citizens  to 
rise  against  Bailly,  La  Fayette  and  the  guards.  But 
no  attention  was  paid  to  these  clamours.  Danton  and 
Desmouiins,  the  avowed  exciters  of  this  insurrection, 
immediately  disappeared.  The  Municipality  had  is- 
sued orders  to  arrest  the  first,  but  he  rled,  and  his 
friend   Desmouiins  followed  him.     Marat,*  %  who  be- 

*  John  Paul  Marat,  one  of  the  atrocious  leaders  of  the 
French  Revolution,  was  born  at  Beaudry,  near  Neufchatel, 
in  Switzerland,  1744.  He  studied  medicine,  but  with  little 
knowledge  of  it,  he  acquired  public  notice  by  passing  as  an 
empiric,  and  by  selling  at  a  high  price,  a  water  which  he 
pretended,  could  cure  all  diseases.  After  visiting  England, 
he  returned  to  Paris,  at  the  time  that  the  revolution  broke 
out,  and  with  all  the  ardor  of  a  man  who  wishes  to  profit  by 
the  miseries  of  the  public,  he  began  to  attack  the  character 
of  the  ministers,  especially  Neckar,  in  his  Publiciste  Parisien. 
To  this  vile,  but  popular  publication,  succeeded  L'Ami  du 
Peuple,  in  whicii  he  recommended,  in  seditious  language,  re- 
volt, pillage, and  murder  ;  he  excited  the  soldiers  to  assassi- 
nate their  generals,  the  poor  to  seize  the  property  of  the  rich, 
and  the  profligate  to  cut  off  their  enemies.  Though  the  As- 
sembly viewed  his  conduct  wit!?  detestation,  and  seized  his 
papers,  he  continued  his  periodical  labours,  under  the  pat- 
ronage of  the  jacobins,  and  when  elected  Deputy  to  the  Con- 
vention, he  appeared  in  the  hall,  armed  with  pistols.  De- 
lighting in  blood,  he  promoted  the  murders  of  September, 
and,  never  satisfied  with  carnage,  he,  by  repeated  accusa- 
tions, carried  the  most  virtuous  of  the  citizens,  and  the  brav- 
est of  the  Generals,  to  the  guiilotine,  and  declared,  with  ex- 
ultation, that  the  happiness  of  France  required  for  its  consol- 
idation, the  sacrifice  of  300,000  more  lives.  This  execrable 
wretch  might  still  have  added  to  the  number  of  his  victims, 
but  a  heroine  arose  to  rid  the  world  of  the  blood  thirsty  ty- 


LA  FAYETTE.  277 


longed  to  the  same  club,  and  was  equallyguilty,  betook 
himself  to  a  subterranean  habitation,  which  had  been 

rant.  Charlotte  Corday*  obtained  access  to  him,  while  he 
was  in  his  bath,  and  with  a  blow  of  a  dagger,  she  laid  the 
monster  dead  at  her  feet,  14th  July,  1793.  His  remains 
were  honoured  by  his  sanguinary  accomplices,  with  all  the 
distinction  due  only  to  a  hero,  and  were  deposited  with  great 
pomp  in  the  Pantheon.  But  though  prejudice  or  fear  exalt- 
ed this  monster  to  the  rank  of  a  god,  and  dedicated  busts, 
pyramids  and  temples  to  his  honour,  the  public  opinion  soon 
changed,  his  memory  was  insulted,  and  his  very  body  dug 
up,  and  thrown  into  a  common  sink.  This  worthless  tyrant 
was,  in  his  person,  disagreeable  and  ferocious  ;  he  spoke 
with  animation,  but  his  looks  betrayed  the  black  purposes  of 
his  heart. 

He  wrote  Man,  or  the  principles  of  the  influence  of  the 
soul  on  the  body,  and  of  the  body  on  the  soul,  1775,  2  vols, 
12mo.  a  work  severely  criticised  by  Voltaire  ;  Discoveries  on 
fire,  electricity,  and  light,  8vo.  l'/79  ;  Discovery  on  light, 
8vo.  in  which  he  attacks  Newton's  system  5  Memoirs  on 
electricity,  &c. — Lempriere's  Biog.  Die. 

*  Marie  Anne  Victoire  Charlotte  Corde,  or  Corday,  the 
woman  who  performed  this  remarkable  assassination,  was  a 
native  of  St.  Saturnin  des  Lienerets.  She  was  the  daughter 
of  a  gentleman  in  easy  circumstances,  and  had  inflamed  her 
mind  by  study  and  meditation  to  the  commission  of  an  act, 
which  she  thought  would  be  beneficial  to  her  country.  But 
her  action  cannot  be  ascribed  to  patriotism  alone ;  it  is  not 
improbable  that  she  was  influenced  by  love  for  Barbaroux, 
whom  she  had  long  known,  and  whose  life  she  imagined  to 
be  at  Marat's  disposal.  While  the  proscribed  deputies  were 
at  Caen,  she  frequently  came,  attended  by  a  servant,  to  the 
Town  hall,  and  inquired  for  Barbaroux,  to  whom  she  pre- 
tended some  business,  but  always  conversed  with  him  hi 
presence  of  her  domestic.      She  was  apprehended  iromedi- 

24 


i78  MEMOIRS  OF 


prepared  for  him,   by  a  butcher,  and  which   had,   an 
several   other  occasions,  protected   him  from   public. 

ettely  cm  the  perpetration  of  her  extraordinary  attempt,  and 
seat  first  to  the  Abbaye,  and  afterwards  to  the  Conciergerie. 
She  was  put  on  her  trial  the  1 7th,  and  avowed  the  fact  and 
all  the  circumstances,  alleging  as  a  justification,  that  she 
considered  Marat  a  criminal  already  convicted  by  the  public 
opinion,  and  that  she  had  a  right  to  put  him  to  death.  She- 
added,  that  she  did  not  expect  to  have  been  brought  before 
the  revolutionary  tribunal,  but  to  have  been  delivered  up  to 
the  rage  of  the  populace,  torn  to  pieces,  and  that  her  head 
fixed  on  a  pike,  would  have  been  borne  before  Marat,  on  his 
state  bed,  and  serve  as  a  rallying  point  to  Frenchmen,  if  any 
still  existed  worthy  of  that  name.  Her  answers  to  the  va- 
rious interrogatories,  were  brief,  pointed,  distinguished  by 
good  sense,  and  sometimes  by  wit.  Her  advocate,  preclu- 
ded by  her  confession  from  making  any  defence  as  to  the 
facts,  delivered  a  speech  in  her  favour,  in  which  he  insisted, 
that  her  unruffled  calmness  and  supernatural  self-denial,  must 
be  occasioned  only  by  that  fermentation  of  political  fanati- 
cism, which  also  armed  her  hand  with  the  dagger,  and  that  it 
was  for  them  to  consider  what  weight  that  moral  considera- 
tion should  have  in  the  scale  of  justice.  She  was  found 
guilty  and  executed  the  same  day.  When  sentence  was 
pronounced  on  her,  she  thanked  her  counsel  for  the  manner 
in  which  he  had  pleaded  her  cause,  which  she  said  was  deli- 
cate and  generous.  She  desired  a  friend  to  pay  the  debts 
she  had  contracted  while  in  prison,  and  requested  of  the 
judges,  that  three  letters  which  she  had  in  her  hand,  two  to 
Barbaroux,  and  one  to  her  father,  might  be  delivered.  In 
her  way  to  the  place  of  execution,  she  displayed  a  firmness 
and  tranquillity  which  charmed  many  of  the  spectators,  and 
even  awed  into  silence  those  persons  called  Revolutionary 
women,  or  furies  of  the  guillotine,  who  in  general  pursued 
the  victim  to  death  with  execrations  and  reproaches.  She 
submitted  to  her  fate  with  the  same  composure  which  mark- 
ed her  preceding  conduct.  She  is  described  by  Louvet, 
who  saw  her  at  Caen,  to  have  been  stout,  well  made,  with 
an  open  air,  and  modest  behaviour ;  her  face,  that  of  a  fine, 


LA  FAYETTE.  279 


justice.  This  monster  met  with  a  better  fate  than  he 
deserved.  He  ou^ht  to  have  died  by  the  rope  of  the 
hangman,  rather  than  by  the  beautiful  hand  which 
gave  him  the  deadly  blow. 

The  energy  with  which  La  Fayette  suppressed  thi> 
formidable  insurrection,  was  highly  approved  of  by  the 
Assembly,  and  the  citizens  of  Paris. 

The  time  now  arrived  when  the  National  Assembly 
was  to  close  its  long  and  arduous  session.  The  com- 
mittee which  had  been  employed  for  a  considerable 
time  in  digesting  the  constitutional  decrees  had  con- 
cluded its  labours.  The  whole  was  read  to  the  Assem- 
bly on  the  4th  of  August,  1791.  It  was  then  debated, 
article  by  article,  and  on  the  third  of  September  pre- 
sented to  the  King,  who  was  at  the  same  time  restrict- 
ed by  the  Assembly  to  accept  or  reject  the  whole  with- 
out exception  or  observation.  On  the  1 3th  of  the 
same  month,  being  attended  by  a  deputation  of  sixty 
members,  the  King  went  to  the  Assembly,  and  sanc- 
tioned the  assent  he  had  the  day  before  given.  This 
was  done  by  renewing  his  oath,  that  he  would  be  faith- 
ful to  the  nation,  and  employ  the  powers  vested  in  him 
to  maintain  the  Constitution,  and  on  the  30th  of  Sep- 
tember the  Assembly  was  terminated  by  its  own  spon- 
taneous dissolution.* 

On  the  same  day  on  which  the  King  accepted    the 

« • 

and  pretty  woman,  combined.  The  circumstances  which 
attended  this  extraordinary  action,  the  privacy  with  which 
it  was  concerted,  the  resolution  with  which  it  was  executed, 
the  openness  of  confession,  the  contempt  of  punishment,  and, 
above  all,  the  execrable  character  of  the  wretch  who  was 
the  object  of  it,  have  taken  offso  much  of  the  horror  gener- 
ally felt  at  an  act  of  assassination,  that  the  name  of  Char 
lotte  Corday  is  generally  pronounced  with  respect,  and  a 
great  degree  of  admiration. — Adolphus''  Memoirs. 

*  Adolphus. 


280  MEMOIRS  OF 


revised  Constitution,  La  Fayette  moved  a  general  am- 
nesty, which  should  put  a  stop  to  all  prosecutions  be- 
gun on  account  of  the  revolution,  and  forgive  those 
who  had  assisted  the  King  in  his  flight.  He  also  ob- 
tained a  decree  to  abolish  the  necessity  of  passports, 
and  to  permit  ingress  and  regress,  both  to  natives  and 
foreigners.  Both  of  these  were  voted  with  loud  ac- 
clamations,* and  the  cry  Vive  la  Fayette,  was  heard  in 
every  direction. 

In  obedience  to  the  revised  Constitution,  La  Fay- 
ette now  resigned  his  commission  as  commander  in 
chief  of  the  national  guards.  He  took  leave  of  them 
in  a  very  prudent  and  affectionate  letter,  reminding 
them  of  their  sacred  duties,  and  advising  them  con- 
stantly to  keep  those  duties  in  view  as  a  guide  to  their 
conduct. 

At  this  time  M.  Bailly  resigned  his  office  of  mayor 
of  the  city  of  Paris.  La  Fayette,  being  now  no  long- 
er in  command  of  the  guards,  was  set  up  by  the  mode- 
rate party  as  a  candidate  to  fill  the  vacancy.  He  was, 
however,  successfully  opposed  by  Petion,!  who,  aided 

*  Adolphus. 

t  Jerome  Petion  was  born  at  Chantres,  in  the  department 
of  Eure,  in  1759.  His  family  was  not  noble,  but  it  was  at 
once  opulent  and  respectable.  He  received  an  excellent  ed- 
ucation, studied  the  law,  was  called  to  the  bar,  and  practi 
sed  aj.number  of  years  in  his  native  city.  He  also  was  dis- 
tinguished as  a  man  of  letters,  and  while  the  Bastile  stood, 
he  expressed  a  marked  abhorrence  at  the  multifarious  abuses 
which  had  crept  into  the  French  government,  and  unveiled 
the  radical  defects  of  its  political,  civil,  and  ecclesiastical  in- 
stitutions. Petion  wrote  a  memoir  on  the  laws  and  admin- 
istration of  France,  so  early  as  1782.  This  occasioned  a 
search  after  the  author ;  and  had  he  been  found,  there  is  lit- 
tle doubt  that  the  advocate  who  pleaded  so  eloquently  for  the 
liberty  of  others  would  have  been  deprived  of  his  own.  In 
1789,  he  became  a  member  of  the  National  Assembly,  where 
he  had  great  influence.     In  order  to  make  himself  acquaint 


LA  FAYETTE  Ml 


by  the  jacobin  party,   found  a  certain  triumph  over 
him. 

cd  with  the  criminal  code  of  England,  he  repaired  to  that 
country,  and  attended  the  trials  at  old  Bailey.  In  1791,  on 
the  resignation  of  M.  Bailly,  he  was  elected  Mayor  of  Paris ; 
and  that  capital  was  more  than  once  saved  from  plunder  in 
consequence  of  his  popularity,  and  the  powers  of  persuasion 
with  which  he  was  eminently  gifted.  During  the  ferocious 
massacres  that  took  place  in  1792,  he  still  occupied  the  im- 
portant office  of  mayor  5  but  the  contrivers  of  those  infernal 
excesses,  b}'  bereaving  him  of  his  reputation  for  patriotism, 
at  the  same  time  deprived  him  of  the  power  to  impede 
their  atrocities.  During  the  hottest  part  of  that  bloody 
scene,  he  was  detained  at  his  house  by  force,  but  no  sooner 
was  he  liberated  than  he  repaired  to  the  place  of  carnage 
and  chased  away  the  ruffiians,  some  of  whom,  as  if  there  was 
merit  in  murder,  actually  demanded  of  him  a  reward.  On 
the  10th  of  August  he  was  detained  for  a  time  in  the  palace 
as  a  hostage  for  the  safety  of  the  King,  a  circumstance  which 
hastened  the  destruction  of  his  Majesty.  He  afterwards, 
upon  the  condemnation  of  Louis,  voted  for  an  appeal  to  the 
nation.  This  circumstance,  although  he  was  considered  a 
violent  republican,  gave  some  of  the  fiercer  ones  an  occasion 
to  suspect  him,  so  that  when  the  crisis  of  the  31st  of  May 
arrived,  he  was  ranked  among  the  proscribed  deputies,  and 
committed  to  prison.  On  the  following  morning  he  made 
his  escape  and  went  to  the  department  of  Gironde.  He  there 
remained  concealed  under  the  dress  of  a  volunteer  soldier,  for 
a  considerable  time.  From  Gironde,  Petion,  with  a  number 
of  others,  passed  over  to  Bordeaux,  but  being  afraid  to  enter 
the  city  lest  they  be  recognized  as  proscribed  persons 
and  immediately  put  to  death,  they  wandered  about  without 
shelter  or  provision,  until  some  of  the  inhabitants,  being  sus- 
picious of  them,  began  to  be  in  motion,  when  they  escaped 
in  the  night.  They  now  obtained  information  that  fifty 
troopers  were  in  search  of  them,  but  were  so  fortunate  as  to 
elude  their  vigilance  by  secreting  themselves  in  a  quarry. 

Exposed  to  the  fury  of  the  elements,  destitute  of  clothes, 
provisions,  or  even  shoes  5  subsisting  only  by  accident,  and 
24* 


282  MEMOIRS  OF 


La  Fayette,  now  heartily  tired  of  the  tumultuous* 
and  bloody  scenes  he  had  so  often  witnessed  in  the 
French  capital,  and  having  no  disposition  to  make  him- 
self conspicuous  by  joining  any  of  the  factions  by 
which  that  city  was  torn,  left  Paris  and  retired  to  hi? 
estate  at  Auvergne.  But  he  did  not  long  remain  in 
retirement.  His  country  required  his  services  as  a 
commander,  and  he  obeyed  her  call. 

At  this  period,  1792,  Europe  presented  one  vast 
theatre  of  hostile  preparations.  Prussia,  Russia,  and 
Sweden,  had  entered  into  engagements  for  the  restora- 
tion of  the  ancient  monarchy  of  France.  Germany, 
though  no  party  to  these  proceedings,  was  collecting  a 
large  army  on  the  Netharland  frontier  of  France,  which 
was  represented  as  a  measure  of  self  defence,  and  the 
French  emigrants  were  forming  themselves  into  mili- 
tary bodies  in  the  electorates  of  Germany.     These 


liable  every  moment  to  destruction  from  their  own  country- 
men, what  now  was  to  be  done  ?  It  was  impossible  to  re- 
main together  without  being  discovered.  Their  party  con- 
sisted of  nine  persons,  all  in  the  same  situation,  and  the  idea 
of  separating  was  horrible  ;  (hey,  however,  resolved  on  it,  as 
the  only  means  by  which  any  could  escape.  They  divided, 
and  took  different  routes.  Of  the  nine,  six  were  taken  and 
executed,  and  one  died  in  his  bed.  Petion  and  his  compan- 
ion, Buzot,  having  determined  to  remain  together  and  un- 
dergo the  same  fate,  wandered  about  from  place  to  place, 
sometimes  taking  shelter  in  a  barn  or  empty  hayloft;  some 
times  exposed  for  whole  days  and  nights,  without  clothing, 
to  the  inclemency  of  the  season,  and  often  destitute  of  the 
means  of  supporting  life.  Nature  being  exhausted  by  so 
many  privations,  at  length  yielded  to  the  pressure,  and 
their  bodies  emaciated  and  haggard,  were  found  stretched 
on  the  ground  in  the  same  field,  in  the  department  of  Gi- 
ronde.  They  were  supposed  to  have  perished  by  want,  in 
the  centre  of  one  of  the  most  fertile  provinces  of  France. 
Petion  was  a  handsome  man,  no  more  than  thirty-four  years 
old  when  he  died. 


LA  FAYETTE.  283 


hostile  indications,  which  could  no  longer  be  mistaken, 
awakened  the  National  Assembly  of  France  to  a  sense 
of  the  perilous  condition  of  their  already  distracted 
country. 

The  King,  who  had  done  every  thing  in  his  power  to 
avert  an  appeal  to  arms,  repaired  to  the  Assembly  on 
the  20th  of  April,  and  in  the  conclusion  of  his  speech 
said,  "  Frenchmen  prefer  war  to  a  ruinous  anxiety, 
and  to  an  humiliating  situation  that  alike  affects  our 
Constitution  and  our  dignity.  I  come,  therefore,  in 
the  terms  of  the  Constitution,  to  propose  to  you  to  de- 
clare war  against  the  King  of  Bohemia  and  Hungary." 

The  diplomatic  committee  immediately  withdrew, 
to  deliberate  on  the  proposition  made  by  his  Majesty, 
and  on  their  return,  reported  in  favour  of  a  decree  of 
war,  which  was  adopted  by  the  Assembly  on  the  20th 
of  April. 

The  Assembly  voted  that  the  army  should  consist  of 
450,000  men,  and  that  the  vast  sum  of  three  hundred 
millions  of  livers,  in  government  paper,  should  be  pla- 
ced in  the  hands  of  the  ministers  of  war,  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  the  military  establishment. 

La  Fayette  was  now  recalled  from  his  retirement  to 
take  a  command  in  the  army.  Marshal  Rochambeau 
commanded  an  army  of  30,000  men  in  the  north,  and 
took  up  his  head  quarters  at  Valenciennes.  General 
La  Fayette  established  his  head  quarters  at  Mentz, 
having  the  command  of  the  centre,  consisting  of  20, 
000  men.  Marshal  Luckner,  meantime  commanded 
the  army  of  the  Rhine,  consisting  of  50,000  men. — 
Thus  the  army  was  divided  into  three  separate  bodies 
of  troops,  extending  from  Switzerland  to  Dunkirk,  and 
intending  to  act  against  Germany. 

The  first  operations  of  the  French  army  were  di- 
rected against  the  Austrian  Netherlands.  It  was  con- 
certed between  the  three  commanders,  that  La  Fay- 
ette should  march  against  the  Low  Countries,  at  the 
head  of  50,000  men,  where  he  was  to  be  supported  by 


284  MEMOIRS  OF 


Rochambeau.  Having  collected  a  train  of  seventy 
eight  pieces  of  artillery,  he  sent  it  forward  under  the 
command  of  M.  Narbonne,  who  marched  fifty-six 
leagues  in  the  space  of  five  days.  The  intention  was 
to  force  a  rendezvous  in  the  heart  of  the  country.  La 
Fayette  arrived  at  the  head  of  the  main  army  at  Givet 
the  place  of  destination,  on  the  day  appointed  ;  buto 
part  of  Rochambeau's  division,  not  reaching  the  place 
jn  time,  the  expedition  was  rendered  in  a  great  mea- 
sure abortive,  though  La  Fayette  continued  to  keep 
his  ground. 

La  Fayette's  army  occupied  the  tract  of  country 
from  Givet  to  Bouvines.  His  advanced  guard  being 
employed  in  foraging,  were  attacked  on  the  23d  oi 
May  by  a  body  of  Austrians,  who  obliged  them  to  re- 
treat with  considerable  loss.  La  Fayette  having  ob- 
tained information  of  the  danger  to  which  this  party 
was  exposed,  advanced  against  the  Austrians  with  the 
main  body  of  his  army,  and  after  a  considerable  skir 
mish,  put  them  to  flight. 

The  disturbances  at  Paris  now  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  La  Fayette.  During  his  absence,  great  chang- 
es had  taken  place.  The  popular  clamours  against 
the  King  had  greatly  increased.  A  mob  had  broken 
into  the  palace  under  the  pretence  of  delivering  the 
King  a  petition.  On  the  14th  of  July,  the  anniversa- 
ry of  the  federation,  when  Louis  approached  the  altar 
to  renew  his  oath,  a  thousand  tongues  denounced  him 
as  a  perjured  prince,  and  it  was  with  much  difficulty 
that  the  guards  could  protect  his  person  from  violence. 
The  Assembly,  so  far  from  bringing  the  authors  of  these 
outrages  to  exemplary  punishment,  suffered  them  to 
escape,  while  they  were  constantly  passing  decrees, 
which  deprived  the  King  of  some  of  his  prerogatives. 
In  this  state  of  things,  La  Fayette  wrote  a  letter  to  the 
National  Assembly,  in  which  he  exposes  the  violent 
and  unconstitutional  proceedings  of  the  jacobin  club, 
and  refers  to  the  leaders  of  that  faction,  as  being  the 


LA  FAYETTE. 


guilty  authors  of  the  present  dreadful  condition  oftht 
country* 

La  Fayette's  letter  to  the  Legislative  Body. 
At  the  entrenched  camp  of  Maubeuge,  16th  June,  1192. 

u  Gentlemen, 

"  At  the  moment,  perhaps  too  long  deferred,  in 
which  1  am  about  to  call  your  attention  to  the  highest 
public  interests,  and  to  point  out  among  our  dangers, 
the  conduct  of  a  ministry,  whom  I  have  for  a  long  time 
censured  in  my  correspondence,  I  learn  that,  unmask- 
ed in  consequence  of  its  own  divisions,  it  has  fallen  a 
sacrifice  to  its  own  intrigues.  [This  was  the  Brissotin 
ministry.]  It  is  not  enough,  however,  that  this  branch 
of  the  government  has  been  delivered  from  its  disas- 
trous influence.  The  public  welfare  is  in  peril — the 
fate  of  France  depends  principally  on  its  representa- 
tives— the  nation  expects  from  them  its  security.  But 
in  giving  them  a  constitution,  France  has  prescribed 
to  them  the  only  means  by  which  she  can  be  saved. 

"  Persuaded,  gentlemen,  that  as  the  rights  of  man 
are  the  law  of  every  constituent  assembly,  a  constitu- 
tion ought  to  be  the  law  of  the  legislators,  which  that 
constitution  shall  have  established.  It  is  to  you  that 
I  ought  to  denounce  the  too  powerful  efforts  which  are 
making,  to  induce  you  to  depart  from  that  course 
which  you  have  promised  to  pursue. 

"  Nothing  shall  deter  me  from  the  exercise  of  this 
right  as  a  free  man,  to  fulfil  this  duty  of  a  citizen  ;  nei- 
ther the  momentary  errors  of  opinion  ;  for  what  are 
opinions  when  they  depart  from  principles  ?  nor  mv 
respect  for  the  representatives  of  the  people  ;  for  I  re- 
spect still  more  the  people,  whose  sovereign  will  it  is 
to  have  a  constitution  :  nor  the  benevolence  and  kind- 
ness which  you  have  constantly  evinced  for  myself: 
for  I  would  preserve  that  as  I  obtained  it,  by  an  inflex 
ible  love  of  liberty. 

"  Your  Fituation  is  difficult  :    France   is   menaced 


286  MEMOIRS  OF 


from  without,  and  agitated  within.  Whilst  foreign 
powers  announce  the  intolerable  (inadmissible)  pro 
ject  of  attacking  our  national  sovereignty,  and  avow  it 
as  a  principle  !  at  the  same  time  the  enemies  of  France, 
its  interior  enemies,  intoxicated  with  fanaticism  and 
pride,  entertain  chimerical  hopes,  and  annoy  us  with 
their  insolent  malevolence.  You  ought,  gentlemen, 
to  repress  them,  and  you  will  have  the  power  so  to  do. 
only  when  you  shall  become  constitutional  and  just. 
You  wish  it,  no  doubt ;  but  cast  your  eyes  on  all  that 
passes  within  your  own  body  and  around  you.  Can 
you  dissemble,  even  to  yourselves,  that  a  faction,  (and 
to  avoid  all  vague  denunciations)  the  jacobin  faction, 
have  caused  all  these  disorders  ?  It  is  that  which  1 
boldly  accuse — organized  like  a  separate  empire  in 
the  metropolis,  and  in  its  affiliated  societies,  blindly 
,  directed  by  some  ambitious  leaders,  this  sect  forms  a 
corporation  entirely  distinct  in  the  midst  of  the  French 
people,  Whose  powers  it  usurps,  by  tyrannizing  over 
its  representatives  and  constituted  authorities. 

"  It  is  in  that  body,  in  its  public  meeting,  the  love  of 
the  laws  is  denounced  as  aristocracy,  and  their  breach 
as  patriotism.  There  the  assassins  of  Dessilles  re- 
ceive their  triumphs,  the  crimes  of  Jourdan  find  pan- 
egyrists. There  the  recital  of  the  massacre  which 
has  stained  the  city  of  Metz,  has  also  been  received 
with  infernal  acclamations  !  Have  they  become  sacred 
because  the  emperor  Leopold  has  pronounced  their 
name  ?  And  because  it  is  our  highest  duty  to  combat 
the  foreigners,  who  mingle  in  our  domestic  quarrels, 
are  we  at  liberty  to  refrain  from  delivering  our  coun- 
try from  domestic  tyranny  ? 

"  Of  what  importance  is  it,  as  to  the  fulfilment  of 
this  duty,  that  strangers  have  their  projects,  and  their 
connivance  and  concert  with  our  internal  foes  ?  Is  it  I, 
who  denounce  to  you  this  sect  [the  jacobins  ;]  I,  who. 
without  speaking  of  my  past  life,  can  reply  to  those 
who  suspect  my  motives — "  Approach  in  this  moment 


LA  FAYETTE.  287 


of  awful  crisis,  when  the  character  of  each  man  must 
be  known,  and  see  which  of  us,  more  inflexible  in  his 
principles,  more  obstinate  in  his  resistance,  will  more 
courageously  overcome  those  obstacles  and  those  dan- 
gers which  traitors  to  their  country  conceal, and  which 
true  citizens  know  how  to  appreciate,  and  to  brave 
for  her. 

"  And  how  could  I  delay  longer  to  fulfil  this  duty  ? 
whilst  every  successive  day  weakens  still  more  the 
constituted  authorities,  substitutes  the  spirit  of  party 
for  the  will  of  the  people  ;  whilst  the  audacity  of  the 
agitators,  [the  disorganizes]  imposes  silence  upon 
peaceable  citizens,  throws  into  retirement  useful  men, 
and  whilst  devotion  to  the  sect  or  party  stands  in  the 
place  of  public  and  private  virtues,  which,  in  a  free 
country,  ought  to  be  the  austere  [severe  or  strict]  and 
only  means  of  attaining  to  public  office. 

'*  It  is,  after  having  opposed  to  all  the  obstacles,  and 
to  all  the  snares,   which  were  laid  for  me,  the  coura- 
geous and  persevering  patriotism  of  an  army,  sacrificed 
perhaps  to  conspiracies  against  its  commander  [La 
Fayette  was  the  commander]  that   I  now  oppose  to 
this  faction  the  correspondence  of  a  ministry,  worthy 
representative  of  its  club — a  correspondence,  the  cal- 
culations   of  which  are  false,  its  promises  vain  and  il- 
lusory ;  its  information  deceitful  or  frivolous ;  its  ad- 
vice perfidious  or  contradictory  ;  correspondence,  in 
which  after  pressing  rne  to  advance  without  precaution 
— to  attack  without  means — they  finally  began  to  tell 
me  that  resistance  was  impossible,  when  I  indignantly 
repelled  the  cowardly  and  base  assertion.     What  a  re- 
markable conformity  of  language,  gentlemen,  between 
the  factions  whom  the  aristocracy  avow,  and  those  who 
usurp  the  name  of  patriots  !  They  both  wish  to  over- 
throw our  laws,  rejoice  in  our  disorders,  array  them- 
selves against  the  constituted  authorities,   detest  the 
national  guards  [the  militia.]  preach  insubordination 


288  MEMOIRS  OF 


to  the  army  ;  sow,  atone  moment,  distrust ;  at  anoth- 
er, discouragement. 

"  As  to  myself,  gentlemen,  who  embraced  the  Amer- 
ican cause  at  the  moment  when  its  ambassadors  de- 
clared to  me  that  it  was  perilous  or  desperate — who 
from  that  moment  have  devoted  my  life  to  a  persever- 
ing defence  of  liberty  and  of  the  sovereignty  of  the 
people — who,  on  the  14th  of  July,  1789,  (after  the 
taking  of  the  Bastile,)  in  presenting  to  my  country  a 
declaration  of  rights,  dared  to  say,  "  that  in  order  that 
a  nation  should  be  free,  it  is  only  necessary  that  it 
should  will  so  to  be."  I  come,  this  day,  full  of  confi- 
dence in  the  justice  of  our  cause — of  contempt  for  the 
cowards  who  desert  it,  and  of  indignation  against  the 
traitors  who  would  sully  or  stain  it  with  crimes  ;  I  am 
ready  to  declare,  that  the  French  nation,  if  it  is  not  the 
vilest  in  the  universe ;  can  and  ought  to  resist  the 
conspiracy  of  kings  who  have  coalesced  against  it. 

"  It  is  not  in  the  midst  of  my  brave  army  that  timid 
counsels  should  be  permitted. — Patriotism,  discipline, 
patience,  mutual  confidence,  all  the  military  and  civil 
virtues  I  find  here.  Here  the  principles  of  liberty  and 
equality  are  cherished,  the  laws  respected,  property 
held  sacred.  Here  calumnies  and  factions  are  un- 
known. And  when  I  reflect  that  France  has  many 
millions  who  can  become  such  soldiers,  I  ask  myself, 
to  what  a  degree  of  debasement  must  such  an  immense 
people  be  reduced,  stronger  in  its  natural  resources 
than  in  its  artificial  defences,  opposing  to  a  monstrous 
and  discordant  confederation,  simple  and  united  coun- 
sels and  combinations,  that  the  cowardly,  degrading 
idea  of  sacrificing  its  sovereignty,  of  permitting  any 
discussion  as  to  its  liberties,  of  committing  to  negotia- 
tion its  rights,  could  be  considered  among  the  possi- 
bilities of  a  rapidly  advancing  futurity  ! 

"  But,  in  order  that  we,  soldiers  of  liberty,  should 
combat  for  her  with  efficacy,  or  die  for  her  with  any 
fruit  or  advantage,  it  is  necessary  that  the  number  ©f 


LA  FAYETTE.  289 


the  defenders  of  the  country  should  be  promptly  made 
»n  some  degree  proportionate  to  that  of  our  opponents  ; 
that  the  supplies  of  all  descriptions  should  be  increas- 
ed so  as  to  facilitate  our  movements ;  that  the  comfort 
and  conveniences  of  the  troops,  their  clothes  and  arms, 
their  pay,  the  accommodations  for  the  sick,  should  no 
longer  be  subject  to  fatal  delays,  or  to  a  miserable  and 
misplaced  economy,  which  defeats  its  very  end. 

"  It  is  above  all  necessary  that  the  citizens,  rallied 
round  their  constitution,  should  be  assured  that  the 
rights,  which  that  constitution  guarantees,  shall  be  re- 
spected with  a  religious  fidelity  ;  which  will  of  itself 
cause  more  despair  to  our  enemies  than  any  other 
measure. 

"  Do  not  repel  this  desire — this  ardent  wish.  It  is 
that  of  all  the  sincere  friends  of  your  legitimate  au- 
thority ;  assured  that  no  unjust  consequence  or  effect 
caD  flow  from  a  pure  principle — that  no  tyrannical 
meiisure  can  save  a  cause,  which  owes  its  force,  aye, 
and  its  glory,  to  the  sacred  principles  of  liberty  and 
equality.  Let  criminal  jurisprudence  resume  its  con- 
stitutional power.  Let  civil  equality — let  religious 
freedom  enjoy  the  application  of  their  true  principles. 
In  fine,  let  the  reign  of  the  clubs  be  annihilated  by  you  3 
let  them  give  place  to  the  laws — their  usurpations  to 
the  firm  and  independent  exercise  of  the  powers  of  the 
constituted  authorities — their  disorganizing  maxims  to 
the  true  principles  of  liberty — their  delirious  fury  to 
the  calm  and  constant  courage  of  a  nation  which  knows 
its  rights,  and  is  ready  to  defend  them — in  fine,  their 
sectarian  combinations  to  the  true  interests  of  the 
country,  of  the  nation,  which  in  a  moment  of  danger 
ought  to  unite  all,  except  those,  to  whom  its  subjec- 
tion and  ruin  are  the  objects  of  atrocious  pleasure  and 
infamous  speculation.    '  LA  FAYETTE." 

When  this  letter  was  read  in  the  Assembly,  it  wa- 
greatly  applauded  by  the  majority,  and  by  the  tribune? : 

25 


290  MEMOIRS  OF 


it  however,  did  not  escape  severe  censure  from  those 
whose  power  and  influence  it  attacked.  Verigaud, 
a  Jacobin,  observed  that  the  remonstrances  of  a  Gen- 
eral  at  the  head  of  his  army,  looked  like  an  attempt  t* 
overawe  the  Assembly.  Gaudet  said,  that  Cromwell 
would  have  used  the  same  style,  in  writing  to  the 
Parliament  of  Great  Britain,  when  the  liberties  of 
England  had  been  destroyed. 

If  these  arguments  were  attended  with  little  effect 
on  the  National  Assembly,  the  animadversions  in  the 
Jacobin  club  produced  the  most  violent  enthusiasm. 
All  the  popular  orators  of  that  execrable  society,  par- 
ticularly Robespierre,  Danton,  Desmoulins,  and  Col- 
lot  d'Herbois,  uttered  violent  denunciations  against  the 
General,  and  extended  their  rancour  to  the  Ministers 
and  King.  On  hearing  of  the  insurrection  of  the  20th 
of  June,  La  Fayette  set  out  for  the  capital.  He  was 
received  by  the  guards  and  all  the  lovers  of  order, 
with  their  usual  affection.  Several  battalions  waked 
on  their  former  commander,  and  offered  to  second 
the  views  with  which  his  journey  was  undertaken.  A 
tree  of  liberty,  ornamented  with  laurels  and  garlands, 
was  planted  before  the  door  of  his  hotel,*  and  the 
people  in  the  streets  greeted  him  with  their  customary 
acclamations.  The  Jacobins  were  struck  with  alarm 
at  his  appearance,  as  they  had  no  doubt  but  he  had 
come  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  the  authors  of  the 
insurrections  which  they  had  promoted  to  punishment. 
It  was  of  course  supposed,  (hat  his  army  was  in  full 
march  to  support  him  ;  or  that  he  had  been  assured 
that  the  forces  of  the  capital  only  wanted  a  comman- 
der to  enforce  the  laws.  The  King,  it  was  believed, 
depended  much  on  La  Fayette's  assistance  at  this 
juncture.  He  appeared  alone  at  the  bar  of  the  Na- 
tional Assembly,  on  the  28th  of  June,  and  this  circum- 
stance strengthened  the  general  conjecture,  that  he 

*  Adolphus. 


LA  FAYETTE.  291 


had  not  come  unsupported.  In  his  address  to  the  As- 
sembly, he  began  by  avowing  the  letter  he  had  addres- 
sed to  them  on  the  16th,  and  the  sentiments  it  con- 
tained. He  then,  with  a  boldness  perhaps  bordering 
on  temerity,  in  the  faces  of  many  of  the  Jacobin  club, 
demanded  of  the  Assembly,  in  the  name  of  the  army, 
and  all  good  citizens,  "  the  punishment  of  the  instiga- 
tors and  executors  of  the  violences  of  the  20th  of  June. 
He  also  demanded  the  suppression  of  the  Jacobin  so- 
cieties, and  that  the  Assembly  would  take  measures 
for  preventing  all  attempts  against  the  Constitution, 
from  internal  enemies,  while  the  army  was  repelling 
foreign  foes  from  the  frontiers.1' 

Such  was  the  resolution  and  dignity  with  which  this 
speech  was  delivered,  together  with  the  justness  of  the 
sentiments  it  offered,  that  the  Assembly  remained  some 
time  in  silent  consternation,  not  believing  such  bold- 
ness could  emanate  from  a  sense  of  rectitude  and  pat- 
riotism, but  still  supposing  that  an  armed  force  was  the 
means  by  which  he  expected  to  enforce  obedience. 

The  silence  was  broken  by  Guadet.  He  rose  and 
inveighed  against  the  General  for  leaving  the  army, 
and  desired  that  the  minister  of  war  might  be  inquired 
of  whether  he  had  obtained  permission  to  leave  his 
post,  and  visit  Paris.  This  produced  a  debate,  and 
several  severe  speeches  were  made  by  those  who 
would  have  remained  silent,  had  not  Guadet  began  in 
the  bold  manner  he  did. 

But  La  Fayette  defended  himself  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  escape  censure. 

This  attempt  of  La  Fayette,  to  bring  the  National 
Assembly  to  a  sense  of  their  duty,  by  his  own  individu- 
al exertions,  and  without  the  support  of  an  armed 
force,  has  been  censured  as  rash  and  unadvised.  But 
had  he  brought  his  army  with  him,  he  would  have  been 
stigmatized  as  the  author  of  a  civil  war  ;  and  on  the 
question  whether  he  ought  to  have  gone  at  all,  it  may 
be  urged,  that  the  situation  of  the  royal  family,  his 


292  MEMOIRS  OF 


anxiety  to  preserve  the  constitution,  to  suppress  the 
insurrections  with  which  the  capital  was  torn,  and  to 
save  his  country  from  ruin,  were  his  motives  ;  to  ef- 
fect which,  he  depended  on  the  justness  of  his  senti- 
ments, and  his  known  patriotism  and  popularity.  La 
Fayette,  finding  that  the  laudable  object  for  which  he 
had  undertaken  this  journey,  was  not  likely  to  be  ac- 
complished, returned  to  take  command  of  his  army. 

It  was  at  this  period,  that  the  Jacobin  club,  stimula- 
ted by  revenge,  or  apprehension,  redoubled  their  ef- 
forts to  destroy  La  Fayette.  Jean  de  Brie  came  be- 
fore the  Assembly,  on  the  3th  of  August,  and  after  pro- 
ducing a  report  on  the  General's  conduct,  he  moved  a 
decree  of  accusation  against  him.  He  was  supported 
by  Brissot,*  who  reinforced  de  Brie's  arguments,  with 

*  John  Pierre  Brissot,  a  Frenchman,  son  of  an  innkeeper 
at  Chartres,  of  great  natural  powers,  but  of  a  restless  and 
ambitious  soul.  Dissatisfied  with  the  political  servitude  of 
his  country,  he  for  some  time  engaged  in  the  publication  of 
the  Courier  de  PEurope,  which  might  disseminate  his  prin- 
ciples, under  pretence  of  foreign  or  domestic  intelligence  ; 
and  when  this  failed,  he  turned  his  thoughts  towards  crimi- 
nal jurisprudence.  His  theory  of  criminal  laws  appeared, 
in  two  vols.  8vo.  1780,  with  great  popularity,  and  was  soon 
followed  by  two  discourses,  which  gained  the  public  prize  at 
Chalons  sur  Marne.  In  the  prosecution  of  his  studies,  and 
after  the  publication  of  his  philosophical  library,  he,  after 
going  to  Geneva  and  Neufrhatel,  visited  England,  whose 
language,  laws  and  manners,  he  regarded  with  affectionate 
reverence,  as  diffusive  of  that  liberty  which  he  in  vain  wish- 
ed to  discover  at  home.  On  his  return  to  Paris,  1784,  he 
was  committed  for  a  few  weeks  to  the  Bastile  ;  and  this, 
probably,  tended  to  inflame  his  rancor  against  the  abuses 
and  intrigues  of  monarchy.  He  was,  however,  liberated  by 
the  influence  of  the  Duke  of  Orleans,  to  whose  children  his 
wife,  of  the  name  of  Dupont,  had  been  governess,  under  the 
direction  and  auspices  of  madam  Genlis.  Eager  to  promote 
happiness  in  every  part  of  the  earth,  he  instituted,  at  Paris,. 


LA  FAYETTE.  29: 


all  the  invention  which  his  talents  for  falsehood,  and 
his  inveterate  rancor  could  supply.  La  Fayette  was 
defended  by  several  of  the  members,  among  whom 
M.  Vaublanc  took  the  lead,  and  the  decree  of  accusa- 
tion was  negatived  by  a  large  majority. 

The  galleries,  during  the  debate,  were  filled  with 
the  debased  rabble  of  the  Jacobin  party,  who  of  course, 
showed  their  partiality  to  the  accusers ;  and  when  his 
defenders  were  retiring  from  the  hall,  they  were  sur- 
rounded by  this  rabble,  who  insulted,  hooted,  hissed, 
and  even  pelted  them  with  stones  and  dirt.     Such  was 

a  society  for  the  abolition  of  negro  slavery  ;  and  more  "effec- 
tually to  carry  his  plans  into  execution,  he  passed  over  to 
America,  to  examine  the  manners  and  the  constitution  of 
that  newly  emancipated  republic.  His  abode  beyond  the 
Atlantic  was  of  short  duratiou.  His  schemes  to  establish  a 
colony  of  Frenchmen,  under  republican  laws,  totally  failed  ; 
but  the  Revolution  at  Paris,  was  an  epoch  too  fruitful  in  por- 
tentous events,  and  too  attractive  for  his  ambitious  views,  to 
detain  him  in  America,  and  he  soon  appeared  in  the  capital, 
where  he  displayed  all  the  abilities  of  a  statesman,  a  dema- 
gogue, and  a  factious  partisan.  For  a  while,  he  acquired 
popularity,  supported  by  the  gold,  the  arts  and  the  intrigues 
of  the  infamous  Orleans,  and  as  the  leader  of  a  party  called 
Brissotins  or  Girondists,  because  composed  of  the  members 
of  the  Gironde;  and  though  violent,  he  is  to  be  commended, 
for  the  mildness  which  he  displayed  towards  the  unfortunate 
Louis,  whose  fate  he  wished  to  be  suspended,  till  the  final 
consolidation  of  the  republic.  The  versatility  of  his  talents, 
could  not,  however,  ensure  his  safety.  In  the  midst  of  po- 
litical intrigue  and  sanguinary  faction,  he  was  denounced  as 
the  agent  of  England,  by  Robespierre  and  his  adherents,  and 
after  a  mock  trial,  guillotined,  the  30th  November,  1793, 
with  his  friends  and  associates.  He  was  in  his  39th  year. 
Besides  the  works  enumerated,  he  wrote,  thoughts  on  the 
means  of  attaining  truth — letters  on  the  history  of  England 
— an  examination  of  the  travels  of  Chatelleux  in  America, 
with  an  account  of  the  country,  3  vols.  Sva. — Lempriere's 
Biog.  Die. 

25  * 


194  MEMOIRS  OF 


their  violence,  that  Vaublanc  narrowly  escaped  assas- 
sination.* 

This  acquittal  of  La  Fayette  was  a  sore  disap- 
pointment to  the  Jacobin  club.  It  was  not  only  pre- 
serving the  life  of  a  man,  for  whose  blood  they  every 
one  thirsted,  and  whose  influence  they  had  every  rea- 
son to  fear,  but  it  served  to  shew  that  their  own  influ- 
ence in  the  Assembly  was  much  less  than  they  expect- 
ed. Leaving  La  Fayette,  therefore,  they  plotted  the 
murder  of  the  King  and  Royal  family  at  once,  by  rais- 
ing an  insurrection,  which  should  deluge  the  palace  of 
the  Tuileries  with  blood.  This  licentious  and  atheis- 
tical league  succeeded  in  seizing  the  reins  of  govern- 
ment. 

On  the  night  of  the  3d  of  August,  Petion,  the  may- 
or of  the  city,  appeared  at  the  bar  of  the  National  As- 
sembly, and  demanded  the  deposition  of  the  King.  Pe- 
titions to  the  same  import  were  presented  from  vari- 
ous quarters.  The  two  great  parties  in  opposition  t« 
the  crown,  the  Girondists!  and  the  jacobins,  though 
they  differed  in  many  respects,  concurred  in  the  expe- 
diency of  removing  the  King  from  the  head  of  govern- 
ment. The  Girondists  contented  themselves  with  de- 
claring that  he  had  forfeited  the  crown.  But  the  jac- 
obins were  determined  to  destroy  Louis,  and  abolish 
the  monarchy  of  France.  For  this  purpose  an  exten- 
sive and  most  daring  conspiracy  was  formed,  at  the 
head  of  which  stood  the  jacobins,  Danton,  Conville, 
Desmoulins,  Tallien,  Cullot,  &c.  On  the  evening  of 
the  9th  of  August,  this  bloody  club  met  at  the  hall  of 
the  Cordeliers.  Danton,  with  a  loud  and  furious  voice, 
recapitulated  the  crimes  of  the  court.  "  Let  us  cease," 
said  he,  "  to  appeal  to  the  laws  and  the  legislators ; 
the  greater  part  of  them  are  nothing  better  than  the 
accomplices  of  La  Fayette,  whom  they  have  just  ab- 


*  Adolphus. 
lists,  so  called.,  because  they  cam?  from  Gironde. 


LA  FAYETTE.  295 


solved.  To  absolve  that  traitor  is  to  deliver  ourselves 
to  him,  to  the  enemies  of  France,  and  to  the  sanguina- 
N  ry  vengeance  of  the  coalesced  Kings.— What  do  I  say  ? 
It  is  this  very  night  which  the  perfidious  Louis  has  se- 
lected for  delivering  up  to  carnage  and  to  the  flames, 
that  capital  which  he  wishes  once  more  to  leave.  To 
arms !  To  arms  ! — " 

-  Although  this  speech  contained  not  a  word  of  truth, 
the  cry  to  arms  was  the  concert,  instantly  repeated  by 
a  thousand  tongues.  At  eleven  o'clock,  the  Assembly 
declared  itself  in  a  state  of  insurrection,  and  a  musket 
was  fired  as  a  signal  for  action.  The  members  rushed 
out,  and  every  one  who  could,  armed  himself.  Some 
of  the  jacobins  ordered  the  bells  to  be  rung,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  the  dreadful  tocsin  was  sounded  through- 
out Paris,  wafting  terror  and  dismay  to  every  depart- 
ment of  the  castle  of  the  Tuileries. 

The  royal  family  knew  that  they  were  the  object  of 
this  dreadful  insurrection,  and  after  some  hesitation, 
the  King  decided  on  throwing  himself  and  family  on 
the  mercy  of  the  Assembly.  On  entering  the  hall, 
Louis  said,  "  1  am  come  here  to  prevent  a  great 
crime  ;"  (meaning  his  murder;)  "  among  you,  gentle- 
men, 1  believe  myself  in  safety."  After  some  discussion 
among  the  members,  the  royal  family  were  placed  in 
a  box  appropriated  to  the  reporters  of  a  newspaper, 
and  here  they  remained  fourteen  hours.  Scarcely  had 
the  King  got  seated,  when  a  dreadful  cannonade  shook 
the  Assembly.  The  insurgents,  amounting  to  20,000 
in  number,  were  provided  with  thirty  pieces  of  can- 
non, and  marched  in  battle  array  to  the  palace.  The 
palace  was  defended  by  700  Swiss  guards  ;  1,200  gen- 
tlemen ;  2,400  national  guards,  and  100  cavalry.  At 
nine  on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  one  of  the  gates  of  the 
palace  yard  was  forced,  and  the  mob  rushed  furiously 
in,  and  instantly  killed  six  of  the  Swiss  guards.  The 
guards  then  fired  on  the  mob,  when  the  assailants  ap- 
plied their  matches  to   the  cannon,  and  a  direful  con- 


296  MEMOIRS  OF 


flict  took  place.  Every  Swiss  soldier  in  the  palace 
fell  a  sacrifice  to  therage  of  the  assassins.  A  small 
party  of  seventeen  of  these  brave  men  took  refuge  in 
the  vestry  room  of  the  chapel,  and  having  laid  down 
their  arms  and  asked  for  mercy,  were  instantly  put  to 
death.  Five  hundred  of  the  gentlemen  sought  safety 
in  |the  Assembly  room.  But  the  defenceless  victims 
who  still  remained  in  the  palace  were  involved  in  one 
promiscuous  murder,  and  the  massacre  was  followed 
by  a  general  pillage. 

While  these  sanguinary  scenes  were  transacting,  the 
National  Assembly  continued,  as  they  expressed  it,  to 
u  deliberate."  But  their  deliberations  were  no  long- 
er free.  The  Assembly  had  forced  their  sovereign  to 
perform  acts  against  his  will;  The  mob,  in  turn,  now- 
forced  the  Assembly  to  do  whatever  was  dictated  to 
them  from  the  galleries.  Under  the  guidance  of  the 
Jacobin  faction,  therefore,  they  passed  a  decree,  de- 
claring the  executive  power  suspended,  and  the  au- 
thority given  to  Louis  by  the  constitution,  revoked. 
A  decree  of  accusation  was  passed  against  several  of 
the  ministers.  A  new  executive  was  formed  ;  and 
among  others  wrho  came  into  office,  the  bloody  Dan- 
ton  was  appointed  minister  of  justice.  Thus  in  one 
day,  the  whole  fabric  of  the  French  Constitution, 
which  had  been  erected  by  some  of  the  ablest  men  the 
kingdom  ever  produced,  was  crumbled  into  dust,  by  a 
licentious  and  sanguinary  populace. 

La  Favette,  who  was  amongst  the  first  to  oppose  the 
despotism  o!  the  court,  was  equally  adverse  to  the  ty- 
ranny of  Ihe  Jacobins  ;  and  no  sooner  had  the  intelli- 
gence of  this  horrible  massacre  at  Paris  reached  his 
head  quarters  at  Sedan,  than  he  addressed  the  follow- 
ing letter  to  his  soldiers  : 
M  Citizen  Soldiers, 

"  It  is  no  longer  proper  to  conceal  from  you  what  is 
going  forward  :  the  constitution  you  swore  to  maintain, 
is  no  more  ;  a  banditti  from  Marseilles,  and  a  troop  of 


LA  FAYETTE.  $97 


factious  men  besieged  the  palace  of  the  Tuileries ;  the 
national  and  Swiss  guards  made  a  vigorous  resistance, 
but  for  want  of  ammunition  they  were  obliged  to  sur- 
render. 

"  General  d'Affry,  his  aids-de-camp,  and  his  whole 
family  were  murdered. 

"  The  King,  Queen,  and  all  the  royal  family  escaped 
to  the  National  Assembly ;  the  factious  run  thither, 
holding  a  sword  in  one  hand,  and  fire  in  the  other,  and 
forced  the  legislative  body  to  supersede  the  King, 
which  was  done  for  the  sake  of  saving  his  life. 

"  Citizens,  you  are  no  longer  represented  ;  the  Na- 
tional Assembly  is  in  a  state  of  slavery  :  your  armies 
are  without  leaders ;  Petion  reigns  ;  the  savage  Dan- 
ton  and  his  satellites  are  masters.  Thus,  soldiers,  it  is 
your  province  to  examine  whether  you  will  restore  the 
hereditary  representative  to  the  throne,  or  submit  to 
the  disgrace  of  having  a  Petion  for  your  King." 

La  Fayette  then  attempted  to  renew  the  oath  to 
the  Constitution  in  his  army,  but  was  mortified  to  find 
that  many  of  his  officers  rejected  it,  and  that  there 
was  a  spreading  defection  among  the  soldiers. 

At  Paris,  amidst  the  confusion  and  horrors  of  the 
10th  of  August,  La  Fayette  was  not  forgotten.  All 
busts  and  pictures  of  him  were  destroyed.  A  cele- 
brated artist,  employed  by  the  French  mint,  had  been 
engaged  to  engrave  a  medal,  with  an  inscription  in 
honour  of  him,  who  was  called  the  Washington  of 
France.  But  the  reign  of  terror  had  now  commenced  ; 
the  Jacobins  ruled  the  nation  ;  and  every  memorial  of 
so  strenuous  a  supporter  of  the  Constitution  was  of 
course  destroyed.  The  unfinished  medal  was  obtain- 
ed of  the  engraver,  and  by  a  decree  of  the  Common 
Council  was  broken  in  pieces  by  the  common  execu- 
tioner. 

The  streets  of  Paris  echoed  with  clamours  and  re- 
proaches against  him,  and  three  commissioners  were 
gent  by  the  National  Assembly  to  arrest  him  at  Sedan, 


298  MEMOIRS  OF 


where  he  remained  at  the  head  of  his  army.  La  Fay- 
ette, being  apprised  of  their  design,  caused  them  to  be 
arrested,  immediately  on  their  arrival.  This  circum- 
stance, together  with  a  letter  he  wrote  to  the  Munici- 
pality of  Paris,  and  his  address  to  the  army,  given 
above,  excited  the  most  terrible  indignation  among  the 
Jacobins,  and  prompted  the  most  violent  resolutions 
against  him.  He  was  denounced  in  the  National  As- 
sembly, and  Danton  and  Brissothad  the  extreme  satis- 
faction of  procuring  a  decree  of  accusation  to  be  pass- 
ed against  him  in  that  body.  New  commissioners 
were  appointed,  and  despatched  to  apprehend  him, 
his  property  was  confiscated,  a  price  was  set  on  his 
head,  and  all  citizens  were  charged  to  assist  in  appre- 
hending him,  and  were  authorized  to  kill  him  wherev- 
er he  should  be  found.  Finding  that  no  reliance 
could  be  placed  on  his  army  for  protection,  but  that 
defection  and  desertion,  through  the  influence  of  the 
Jacobin  terror,  were  increasing  ;  being  informed,  also, 
that  a  riotous  attempt  was  preparing  to  set  the  com- 
missioners free,  and  seeing,  under  such  circumstances, 
no  prospect  of  benefiting  his  country.  La  Fayette  de- 
cided on  flight  as  the  only  means  of  saving  his  life. 

With  this  intention,  he  invited  three  of  his  friends, 
Generals  Latour  Maubourg,  Alexander  Lameth,  and 
the  Commandant  of  engineers,  Bureau  de  Puzy,  to 
come  to  his  tent  at  midnight,  on  the  19th  of  August. 
They  there  deliberated  on  their  critical  situation.  To 
march  upon  Paris,  and  attempt  to  crush  the  Jacobin 
faction,  would  be  to  expose  themselves  and  their 
troops,  to  certain  destruction.  To  remain  where  they 
were,  with  the  foreign  enemy  on  one  side,  and  the  fac- 
tious of  the  country  on  the  other,  was  equally  hazard- 
ous. To  treat  with  the  enemy  was  regarded  as  un- 
worthy and  impracticable.  It  was  then  decided,  that 
they  would  leave  an  ungrateful  country,  governed  by 
a  faction,  which  sought  for  their  blood,  and  that  they 


LA  FAYETTE.  299 


would  cross  Brabant,  and  reach  Holland,  from  whence 
they  would  embark  for  the  United  States  of  America.* 

Early  the  next  day,  La  Fayette,  accompanied  by  his 
three  friends,  who  had  been  members  of  the  National 
Assembly  with  him,  and  who  alone  were  in  the  secret, 
together  with  their  aids  de  camp,  and  a  part  of  their 
staff,  set  off  on  horseback,  as  if  to  reconnoitre.  Hav- 
ing arrived  at  an  inn,  two  or  three  leagues  from  the 
camp,  they  dismounted  and  entered  the  house,  placing 
sentinels  at  the  door,  to  prevent  a  surprise  from  the 
enemy's  patroles.  Gen.  La  Fayette  then  confided  to 
these  officers,  23  in  number,  the  state  of  the  country, 
the  feelings  of  the  army  ;  the  before  unknown  fact?, 
that  the  Jacobin  society,  and  the  municipality  of  Paris, 
had  devoted  him  to  proscription,  that  the  Corporation 
of  the  same  city  had  caused  the  dies  of  the  medal, 
which  was  to  have  been  struck  to  his  honour,  to  be 
broken  by  the  hands  of  the  common  executioner,  and 
that  he  was  declared  to  be  an  enemy  to  his  country, 
and  a  price-was  set  upon  his  head.  He  finished,  by 
informing  them  of  his  determination  to  quit  the  country 
for  a  time,  and  that  he  should  consider  as  his  enemy 
any  man  who  should  propose  to  march  against  her. 

Notwithstanding  this  injunction,  these  young  sol- 
diers unanimously  declared,  that  there  was  but  one 
way  left,  to  save  their  country,  and  their  General, 
which  was,  to  march  directly  to  Paris,  and  disperse  the 
Jacobin  faction  at  once.  But  the  General  soon  con- 
vinced them,  that  such  a  step  ought  not  to  be  thought 
of,  and  as  none  of  them  had  been  proscribed  except 
himself,  he  thought  that  all  had  better  return  peacea- 
bly and  immediately  to  the  camp,  lest  their  absence 
should  excite  suspicion.  But  notwithstanding  all*  his 
remonstrances  to  the  contrary,  several  of  them  deter- 


*  These  particulars  are  taken  from  Gen.  Holstein's  work, 
who  cites  Gen.  La  Fayette  as  his  authority. 


300  MEMOIRS  OF 


mined  to  leave  the  country,  and  share  the  fate  of  their 
General,  whatever  it  might  be.  These  young  men 
were  the  two  Maubourgs,  Bureau  de  Puzy,  Lameth, 
Masson,  Rene,  Pillet  and  Cardingan.  His  faithful 
valet,  Pontennier,  and  Augustus,  one  of  his  servants, 
who  afterwards  voluntarily  shared  all  his  imprison- 
ments from  Luxemburg  to  Olmutz,  asked  the  liberty 
to  follow  their  master.  The  rest  were  persuaded  to 
return,  and  take  with  them  La  Fayette's  escort,  con- 
sisting of  150  cavalry. 

La  Fayette  then  set  out  with  his  seven  companions, 
harassed  with  the  most  trying  reflections  upon  his  own 
situation,  that  of  his  family  and  country,  and  upon  the 
danger  which  thrt'Vtened  him.  After  a  rapid  and  un- 
interrupted journey,  they  arrived,  towards  night,  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  an  advanced  guard  of  the  Aus- 
trian army.  Here  they  halted,  and  deliberated  upon 
the  steps  to  be  taken.  It  was  near  eleven  o'clock  at 
night,  none  of  them  knew  the  road,  and  the  darkness 
was  such  as  to  make  it  impossible  to  find  it.  in  this 
state  of  embarrassment,  rendered  more  so  from  the 
fear  that  the  French  were  in  pursuit  of  them,  they  de- 
termined at  all  hazards  to  proceed,  and,  without  dis- 
covering their  names,  or  rank,  to  demand  permission 
of  the  Austrian  commander  to  pass  him,  with  the  in- 
tention of  taking  refuge  in  Holland,  at  that  time  a 
neutral  territory.  This  resolution  being  taken,  Col. 
de  Puzy,  the  only  individual  of  the  party  who  spoke 
German,  advanced  towards  the  Austrian  officer,  who 
received  him  very  politely.  He  informed  him,  that 
he  and  his  companions  had  deserted  from  the  French 
army,  finding  themselves  compelled  to  leave  the  coun- 
try, in  consequence  of  intrigue  and  faction,  and  that 
they  desired  a  safe  passage  into  Holland.  The  officer 
expressed  his  regret,  that  he  was  unable  to  give  a  de- 
cided answer,  without  first  consulting  his  superior  ; 
but  that,  in  the  meantime,  he  and  his  friends  were 
welcome  te  rest  and  take  refreshments  in  his  tent,  as 


LA  FAYETTE.  3fl 


the  night  was  stormy.  De  Puzy  having  returned  and 
made  his  report,  they  set  out  for  the  Austrian  head 
quarters,  and  finally  were  conducted  to  Luxemburg. 

Immediately  on  their  arrival  at  this  fortress,  they 
were  recognized  by  a  crowd  of  refugees,  who,  looking 
on  La  Fayette  as  one  of  the  first  promoters  of  the  Re- 
volution, treated  them  with  the  utmost  insolence  and 
contempt.  Among  the  most  virulent  of  these  enraged 
emigrants,  was  Prince  de  Lambes,  who  rendered  him- 
self notorious  by  his  abuse  of  La  Fayette. 

As  soon  as  the  Governour  of  Luxemburg  recognized 
La  Fayette,  he  confined  each  of  the  party  in  separate 
rooms,  at  the  inn  where  they  had  stopped,  ana  placed 
sentinels  at  their  doors.  They  protested  in  vain  a- 
gainst  these  proceedings,  and  wrote  to  the  Duke  of 
Saxe  Tschen,  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  their  release, 
and  obtaining  passports.  His  refusal  was  accompa- 
nied with  a  savage  and  useless  threat  of  a  public  exe- 
cution ;  and  they  remained  in  a  state  of  close  confine- 
ment, until  the  Governour  of  Luxemburg  received  or> 
ders  from  the  court  of  Vienna  to  deliver  them  into  the 
hands  of  the  King  of  Prussia.  They  were  transported 
in  a  common  cart,  like  criminals,  under  a  strong  es- 
cort of  cavalry,  during  the  night,  from  Luxemburg  to 
Wesel,  being  confined  in  the  common  gaols  of  the 
country,  whenever  it  was  found  necessary  to  stop. 
La  Fayette's  valet,  only,  was  permitted  to  ride  in  the 
cart  with  his  master.  The  Austrians  sold  their  hor- 
ses and  arms,  and  retained  the  money. 

At  Wesel,  the  populace  were  permitted  to  insult 
them  in  the  most  savage  manner.  Here  they  were 
put  in  irons,  placed  in  separate  cells  in  the  castle,  de- 
prived of  all  intercourse  with  each  other,  and  told,  that 
the  King  intended  to  have  them  hanged,  as  wretches 
who  deserved  no  favour.  From  Wesel,  they  were 
again  transported  in  a  cart  to  Magdeburg,  where  they 
were  confined  a  year  in  a  dark,  subterranean  dungeon, 

26 


302  MEMOIRS  OF 


and  during  this  time,  all  information  from  their  fami- 
lies was  denied  them. 

The  King  of  Prussia  now  ordered  La  Fayette  to  be 
transported  to  Silesia  ;  Gen.  Maubourg  solicited  and 
obtained  permission  to  accompany  him.  Here  they 
were  confined  until  about  the  period  when  a  peace 
was  settled  between  France  and  Prussia,  when  they 
were  delivered  up  to  the  Austrian  government,  and 
were  conveyed  to  Olmutz.* 

u  Here  they  were  informed,  as  they  were  incarce- 
rated in  separate  cells,  that  they  would  never  again 
see  any  thing  but  the  four  walls  of  their  prison  house, 
that  they  would  never  again  hear  a  human  voice  ;  their 
very  names  were  proscribed,  and  that  in  future  they 
wrould  be  designated  in  despatches  to  government  by 
the  numbers  of  their  respective  cells ;  and  lest  they 
should  destroy  themselves,  knives,  forks,  and  every 
thing  that  could  be  used  for  that  purpose,  would  be  in- 
terdicted." 

u  The  three  prisoners.!  they  abandoned  to  their 
miserable  reflections,  were  immured  in  the  dungeons 
of  the  ancient  castle  of  the  Jesuits,  the  walls  of 
which  were  twelve  feet  thick,  and  into  which  air  is 
admitted,  through  an  opening  two  feet  square,  which 
is  secured  at  each  end  by  transverse  massive  iron 
bars.  Immediately  before  these  loop-holes  was  a 
broad  ditch,  which  was  covered  with  water  only  when 
it  rained,  and  at  other  times,  was  a  stagnant   marsh, 

*  Olmutz,  or  Holomautz,  is  the  capital  of  Moravia,  in 
Austria.  It  stands  on  the  river  March,  which  nearly  sur- 
rounds the  town.  It  is  strongly  fortified,  well  built,  and 
contains  about  11,000  inhabitants.  Its  longitude  E.  is  17 
deg  8  min.  and  its  latitude  N.  is  49  deg.  37  min.  being  100 
miles  N.  N.  E.  from  Vienna,  and  130  miies  S.  E.  from 
Prague. 

t  Maubourg  and  de  Puzy,  only,  went  to  Silesia  with  La 
Fayette.     Lameth  was  left  at  Magdeburg,  sick. 


LA  FAYETTE.  303 


from  which  a  poisonous  effluvium  was  constantly  ex- 
haling; and  beyond  this,  were  the  outer  walls  of  the 
castle,  which  prevented  the  slightest  breeze  from  pass- 
ing to  the  captives.  On  these  outer  walls  were  in  the 
day-time  four,  and  in  the  night  eight  sentinels,  with 
loaded  muskets,  constantly  watching  the  prisoners,  and 
forbidden,  on  pain  of  one  hundred  lashes,  to  speak  a 
word  with  them,  and  with  orders  to  shoot  them  dead, 
if  they  attempted  to  escape.  The  cellar  of  this  castle 
had  a  large  saloon,  two  hundred  feet  long,  and  twelve 
wide,  in  which  was  kept  a  guard,  consisting  of  an  offi- 
cer and  twenty-five  men,  and  a  corporal  and  four  sol- 
diers, who  alternately  kept  guard  before  the  door  of 
the  prisoners.  These  soldiers,  while  on  duty,  were 
forbidden  either  to  speak,  sing,  or  whistle. 

"  As  this  castle  had  served  as  a  prison  for  four 
years  previously  to  La  Fayette's  confinement,  there 
had  been  constructed  for  each  cell  two  doors,  one  of 
iron,  and  the  other  of  wood,  near  two  feet  thick. 
Both  were  covered  with  bolts  and  bars  and  double 
padlocks.  Every  time  the  inspector  of  the  prison  en- 
tered, the  whole  guard  stood  to  their  arms.  Four  men 
were  posted  on  each  side  of  (he  door,  the  sergeant,  with 
his  sword  drawn,  remained  without,  while  the  officer 
of  the  guard  entered  the  inner  door,  with  his  sword  al- 
so drawn.  The  men  crossed  their  bayonets,  while  the 
inspector  examined  every  corner  of  their  cells  with 
the  greatest  minuteness.  When  the  gaoler  entered, 
with  their  wretched  pittance,  twice  a  day,  it  was  scru- 
pulously examined,  particularly  the  bread,  which  was 
crumbled  to  pieces  by  the  officer  of  the  guard,  to  dis- 
cover if  there  was  any  note  or  communication  con- 
tained in  it.  A  wretched  bed  of  rotten  straw,  rilled 
with  vermin,  together  with  a  broken  chair  and  an  old 
table,  formed  the  whole  furniture  of  each  apartment. 

The  cells  were  eight  or  ten  paces  deep,  and  six  or 
eight  wide  ;  and  when  it  rained,  the  water  ran  through 
the  loopholes,  off  the  walls,  in  such  quantities,  that 


304  MEMOIRS  OF 


the  prisoners  would  sometimes  find  themselves  in  the 
morning  wet  to  the  skin." 

Such  is  the  shocking  account  given  by  Gen.  Ducon- 
dray  Holstein,  and  as  he  states,  on  the  verbal  author- 
ity of  the  prisoners  themselves. 

The  sufferings  of  La  Fayette  in  this  dreary  abode, 
brought  him  to  the  borders  of  the  grave.  "  His  frame 
was  wasted  by  disease,  of  which,  for  a  long  period,  not 
the  slightest  notice  was  taken  ;  and,  on  one  occasion, 
he  was  reduced  so  low,  that  his  hair  fell  from  him  en- 
tirely, by  the  excess  of  his  sufferings.  At  the  same 
time,  his  estates  in  France  were  confiscated,  his  wife 
cast  into  prison,  and  Fayettismey  as  adherence  to  (he 
Constitution  was  called,  was  punished  with  death."* 

But  a  man  so  distinguished  in  the  world,  and  so  en- 
deared to  the  friends  of  civil  liberty,  though  shut  up  in 
a  dungeon,  and  deprived  of  communication  with  hu- 
man beings,  was  not  forgotten.  The  American  minis- 
ters to  foreign  courts,  were  instructed  to  intercede  for 
his  liberation.  The  Envoy  from  the  United  States  to 
the  court  of  St.  James,  exerted  himself  for  the  same 
purpose.  The  Count  Lally  Tolendal,  who  sat  with 
La  Fayette  in  the  National  Assembly,  and  who  admired 
his  principles  and  his  virtues,  also  made  unwearied  ex- 
ertions to  effect  his  enlargement.  Washington,  when 
President  of  the  United  States,  wrote  to  the  Emperor 
of  Austria  a  private  letter,  layiug  La  Fayette's  case 
before  him,  and  requesting  his  permission,  that  he 
might  be  liberated,  and  come  to  America.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a  part  of  that  letter. 

"  It  will  readily  occur  to  your  Majesty,  that  occa- 
sions may  sometimes  exist,  on  which  official  consider- 
ations would  constrain  the  chief  of  a  nation  to  be  si- 
lent and  passive  in  relation  even  to  objects  which  af- 
fect his  sensibility,  and  claim  his  interposition  as  a 
man.     Finding  myself  precisely  in  this  situation  at 

*  North  American  Review* 


LA  FAYETTE.  305 


present,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  writing  this  private 
letter  to  your  Majesty,  being  persuaded  that  my  mo- 
tives will  also  be  my  apology  for  it. 

"  In  common  with  the  people  of  this  country,  I  re- 
tain a  strong  and  cordial  sense  of  the  services  render- 
ed to  them  by  the  Marquis  de  La  Fayette  ;  and  my 
friendship  for  him  has  been  constant  and  sincere.  It 
is  natural,  therefore,  that  I  should  sympathize  with 
him  and  his  family  in  their  misfortunes;  and  endeav- 
our to  mitigate  the  calamities  they  experience,  among 
which  his  present  confinement  is  not  the  least  distress- 
ing. 

"  I  forbear  to  enlarge  on  this  delicate  subject.  Per- 
mit me  only  to  submit  to  your  Majesty's  considera- 
tion, whether  the  long  imprisonment,  and  the  confisca- 
tion of  his  estate,  and  the  indigence  and  dispel sioti  of 
his  family,  and  the  painful  anxieties  incident  to  all 
these  circumstances,  do  not  form  an  assemblage  of  suf- 
ferings which  recommend  him  to  the  mediation  of  hu- 
manity ?  Allow  me,  Sir,  on  this  occasion,  to  be  its 
organ  ;  and  to  entreat  that  he  may  be  permitted  to 
come  to  this  country,  on  such  conditions  as  your  Ma- 
jesty may  think  it  expedient  to  prescribe. 

"  As  it  is  a  maxim  with  me  not  to  ask  what,  under 
similar  circumstances,  1  would  not  grant,  your  Majes- 
ty will  do  me  the  justice  to  believe  that  this  request 
appears  to  me  to  correspond  with  those  great  princi- 
ples of  magnanimity  and  wisdom  which  form  the  basis 
of  sound  policy  and  durable  glory." 

To  this  humane  and  magnanimous  request,  his  Ma- 
jesty the  emperor  either  returned  no  answer  at  all,  or 
such  an  one  as  made  Washington  understand  that  he 
declined  setting  his  prisoner  at  liberty,  or  negotiating 
further  on  the  subject. 

In  179.3,  count  Lally  Tolendal,  then  in  London,  en- 
gaged Dr.  Bollman,  a  Hanoverian  of  great  9agacity, 
courage  and  perseverance,  to  attempt  the  liberation  of 
La  Fayette.  Dr.  Bollman  had  before  been  employed 
26  * 


306  MEMOIRS  OF 


by  Madame  de  Stael,  to  effect  the  escape  of  Count 
Norbonne  from  France,  who  in  the  reign  of  terror  had 
been  proscribed.  This  he  had  performed,  having 
with  uncommon  address  conveyed  the  Count  to  Eng- 
land. But  Dr.  Bollman's  first  attempt  was  so  unsuc- 
cessful, that  after  all  his  exertions,  he  did  little  more 
than  to  ascertain  that  the  government  of  Prussia  had 
delivered  La  Fayette  over  to  that  of  Austria.  But 
where  he  was,  or  whether  he  was  still  alive,  were  cir- 
cumstances which  Dr.  Bollman  found  it  impossible  to 
ascertain.  He  therefore  returned  again  to  London, 
and  reported  to  the  friends  of  the  prisoner  the  little 
information  he  had  obtained. 

"  But  the  friends  of  La  Fayette  were  not  discour- 
aged^ In  June,  1794,  they  again  sent  Dr.  Bollman 
to  Germany,  to  ascertain  what  had  been  his  fate,  and 
if  he  were  still  alive,  to  endeavour  to  procure  his  es- 
cape. With  great  difficulty  he  traced  the  French 
prisoners  to  the  Prussian  frontier,  and  then  ascertain- 
ed, that  an  Austrian  escort  had  received  them,  and  ta- 
ken the  road  to  Olmutz."  "  At  Olmutz  Dr.  Bollman 
ascertained  that  several  state  prisoners  were  kept  in 
the  citadel  with  a  degree  of  caution  and  mystery, 
which  must  have  been  not  unlike  that  used  towards 
the  half  fabulous  personage  in  the  iron  mask."* 

The  following  interesting  account  of  Dr.  Bollman's 
second  visit  to  the  continent,  and  his  attempt  to  deli- 
ver La  Fayette,  is  extracted  from  the  "  Edinburgh 
Annual  Register,"  for  1809.  The  only  alteratton 
made,  is  a  correction  in  the  spelling  of  the  name  of 
the  principal  actor,  which  is  there  spelled  Balman. 

*  North  American  Review. 


LA  FAYETTE  307 


["  This  interesting  narraitve,"  says  the  Editor,  "  was  drawn  up 
by  tue  writer  from  personal  communications  with  Mr.  Huger. 
We  pledge  ourselves  for  its  authenticity.  The  brief  account, 
contained  in  the  Appendix  to  Segur's  History  of  Frederick 
William  II.,  is  very  inaccurate.]" 

"  Amongst  the  many  extraordinary  characters  which 
the  eventful  times  we  live  in  have  produced  to  the  no- 
tice of  the  world,  no  man  has  undergone  greater  vicis- 
situdes of  fortune  than  La  Fayette.  At  one  time  we 
behold  him  tearing  himself  from  the  fascinations  of  the 
most  licentious  court  in  Europe,  braving  the  elements 
in  search  of  the  bubble  reputation,  and  combating  for 
the  cause  of  liberty  under  the  banners  of  Washington  ; 
at  another,  sowing  the  seeds  of  confusion  in  his  native 
country,  idolized  by  an  enthusiastic  populace,  and 
raised  to  the  chief  command  of  his  emancipated  coun- 
trymen :  then  proscribed  and  hunted  by  those  asso- 
ciates who  no  longer  stood  in  need  of  his  assistance  : 
a  fugitive  in  a  foreign  land,  obliged  to  seek  an  asylum 
amongst  his  enemies :  and  lastly,  seized  as  a  traitor, 
and  delivered  up  to  the  Emperor  of  Germany  j  who, 
regarding  him  as  one  of  the  chief  instruments  of  the 
insulting  degradation  and  subsequent  death  of  the  roy- 
al family  of  France,  ordered  him  into  close  confine- 
ment in  the  castle  at  Olmutz.  Compassion  for  his 
fate  drew  petitions  from  all  quarters  for  his  release. 
The  Emperor  was  inexorable,  and  La  Fayette  had 
dragged  on  two  miserable  years  in  his  solitary  prison, 
when  a  stranger  and  a  foreigner  stepped  forward  from 
pure  motives  of  compassion,  and  an  anxious  wish  to 
be  of  service  to  a  man  who  had  so  signalized  himself 
in  the  cause  of  liberty.  Bollman  was  a  Hanoverian 
by  birth,  young,  active,  intrepid,  and  intelligent.  He 
repaired  alone  and  on  foot  to  Olmutz  to  gain  such  in- 
formation as  might  enable  him  to  judge  of  the  best 
means  to  execute  the  purpose  he  had  in  view,  to  as- 
sist Fayette  in  making  his  escape  from  the  power  of 
Austria.     He  soon  found  that,  without  an  able  coad- 


308  MEMOIRS  OF 


jutor,  the  difficulties  which  presented  themselves  were 
insurmountable.  He  was  forced,  therefore,  for  the 
present  to  abandon  his  design  until  he  should  be  so 
fortunate  as  to  find  a  man  equally  zealous  with  him- 
self, and  with  ability  sufficient  to  execute  the  hazard- 
ous plan  he  had  formed.  Accident  threw  in  his  way 
the  person  in  the  world  best  suited  to  the  enterprize 
by  nature  and  education.  At  Vienna,  he  entered  into 
the  society  of  young  Americans,  whom  he  thought 
most  likely,  from  their  veneration  for  the  character  of 
Fayette,  to  dare  such  an  undertaking.  Fie  soon  sin- 
gled out  one,  to  whom,  after  proper  precautions,  he 
imparted  his  secret.  Huger  entered  into  and  adopted 
his  schemes  with  all  the  keenness  oi'  youth,  and  that 
enthusiastic  enterprize  peculiar  to  the  inhabitants  of 
the  new  world. 

Francis  Huger  was  the  son  of  Colonel  Huger  of 
Charleston,  South  Carolina,  who  lost  his  life  in  the 
service  of  his  country  against  the  British  troop9  on 
the  walls  of  the  town,  when  besieged  by  Gen.  Pre- 
vost.  The  year  before  his  death,  he  had  retired  to  a 
small  island  off  the  Charleston  bar,  with  his  family, 
for  the  benefit  of  sea  bathing.  There  happened  one 
evening  a  violent  storm,  the  report  of  cannon  was 
heard  at  a  distance  ;  concluding  the  firing  came  from 
British  ships,  then  cruising  in  those  seas,  it  was  neces- 
sary to  avoid  giving  suspicion  that  the  island  was  in- 
habited. About  midnight  a  knocking  at  the  door  of 
the  cottage  obliged  Col.  Huger  to  open  it.  Two 
persons  appeared,  who,  in  a  foreign  accent,  informed 
him  that  their  ship  had  been  driven  on  shore  by  the 
violence  of  the  wind,  and  the  crew  had  dispersed 
themselves  over  the  island  in  search  of  assistance. — 
They  were  hospitably  received,  and  provided  with 
such  necessaries  as  they  most  stood  in  need  of. — 
When  the  strangers  were  made  acquainted  with  the 
quality  of  their  host,  and  his  political  principles,  they 
made  themsadves  and  the  object  of  their  voyage  known 


LA  FAYETTE.  309 


to  him.  The  one  was  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette, 
then  about  eighteen,  and  the  other  an  elderly  gentle- 
man, a  Chevalier  de  St.  Louis,  who,  like  another 
Mentor,  had  followed  the  fortunes  of  the  young  Tele- 
machus.  "  They  beheld,"  they  said,  "  with  indigna- 
tion, the  tyranny  the  inhabitants  of  North  America 
laboured  under  from  the  mother  country  ;  and,  ani- 
mated with  the  true  spirit  of  liberty,  they  were  resolv- 
ed to  espouse  the  cause  of  the  Congress,  and  either 
partake  with  them  the  happiness  of  emancipation,  or 
perish  with  them  in  the  glorious  effort."  Colonel  Hu- 
ger  quitted  the  island  with  his  guests,  and,  repairing  to 
head  quarters,  introduced  them  to  General  Washing- 
ton, who  gave  each  of  them  a  command  in  the  conti- 
nental army.  Francis  Huger  was  only  four  years  old 
when  this  happened,  but  the  adventure  remained 
deeply  impressed  on  his  memory  ;  and  though  he  had 
never  seen  Fayette  since,  yet  he  felt  the  greatest  at- 
tachment to  his  person,  and  the  highest  admiration  of 
his  actions  ;  with  ardor,  therefore,  he  participated  in 
Bollman's  scheme  for  the  release  of  his  favourite  hero. 
Thus  agreed,  they  began  their  operations.  It  was 
necessary  to  conduct  themselves  with  caution,  for  the 
Austrian  police  was  vigilant,  and  particularly  jealous 
of  strangers.  Huger  pretended  ill  health,  and  Bollman 
gave  himself  out  for  a  physician,  who  on  that  account 
travelled  with  him.  They  bought  three  of  the  best 
horses  they  could  find,  and  with  one  servant  set  for- 
wards on  a  tour.  After  travelling  many  weeks,  stay- 
ing some  time  at  different  places,  the  better  to  conceal 
their  purpose,  and  to  confirm  the  idea  that  curiosity 
was  the  motive  of  their  journey,  they  at  length  reach- 
ed Olmutz.  After  viewing  every  thing  in  the  town, 
they  walked  into  the  castle  to  see  the  fortifications, 
made  themselves  acquainted  with  the  jailor,  and  hav- 
ing desired  permission  to  walk  within  the  castle  the 
next  day,  they  returned  to  their  lodging.  They  re- 
peated their  visits  frequently,  each  time  conversing 


310  MEMOIRS  OF 


familiarly  with  the  jailor,  and  sometimes  making  him 
little  presents.  By  degrees  they  gained  his  confidence, 
and  one  day,  as  if  by  accident,  asked  him  what  prison- 
ers he  had  under  his  care.  Ik  mentioned  the  name  of 
Fayette  ;  without  discovering  any  surprise,  they  ex- 
pressed a  curiosity  to  know  how  he  passed  his  time, 
and  what  indulgences  he  enjoyed  :  They  were  inform- 
ed that  he  was  strictly  confined,  but  was  permitted  to 
take  exercise  without  the  walls  with  proper  attend- 
ants, and,  besides,  was  allowed  the  use  of  hooks,  and 
pen,  ink,  and  paper.  They  said,  that,  as  they  had 
some  new  publications  with  them,  it  might  add  to  his 
amusement  if  they  were  to  lend  them  to  him,  and  de- 
sired to  know  if  they  might  make  the  offer.  The  jail- 
or said  he  thought  there  could  be  no  objection,  provi- 
ded the  books  were  delivered  open  to  him  (the  jailor,) 
so  that  he  might  see  there  was  nothing  improper  in 
their  contents.  With  this  caution  they  complied,  and 
the  same  evening  sent  a  book  and  a  note  to  the  jailor, 
addressed  to  Fayette,  written  in  French  ;  who,  though 
he  did  not  understand  that  language  (as  it  afterwards 
appeared,)  yet  did  not  suspect  any  treachery  where 
every  thing  was  conducted  so  openly.  The  note  con- 
tained apologies  for  the  liberty  they  had  taken;  but, 
as  (hey  wished  in  any  way  to  contribute  to  his  happi- 
they  hoped  he  would  attentively  read  the  book 
they  had  sent,  and  if  any  passages  in  it  particularly  en- 
gaged his  notice,  they  begged  he  would  let  them  know 
his  opinion.  He  received  the  note,  and  finding  it  was 
not  expressed  in  the  usual  mode  of  complimentary 
letters,  conceived  that  more  was  meant  than  met  the 
eye.  He  therefore  carefully  perused  the  book,  and 
found  in  certain  places  words  written  with  a  pencil, 
which,  being  put  together,  acquainted  him  with  the 
names,  qualities,  and  designs  of  the  writers,  and  requir- 
ing his  sentiments  before  they  should  proeeed  any  fur- 
ther.    He  returned  the  book,  and  with  it  an  open  note, 


LAFAYETTE.  311 


thanking  them,  and  adding,  that  he  highly  approved  of, 
and  was  much  charmed  with,  its  contents. 

Having  thus  begun  a  correspondence,  seldom  a  day 
passed  but  open  notes  passed  between  them,  some  of 
which  the  jailor  shewed  to  persons  who  could  read 
Ihem  ;  but,  as  nothing  appeared  that  could  create  any 
suspicion,  the  correspondence  was  permitted. 

Their  plan  being  at  length  ai  ranged,  the  particulars 
were  written  with  lemon  juice,  and  on  the  other  side 
of  the  paper  a  letter  of  inquiries  after  Fayette's  health, 
concluding  wilh  these  words  :  Quand  vous  aurez  lu  ce 
billet,  meitez  le  an  feu  (instead  of  dans  le  feu.)  By 
holding  the  paper  to  the  lire,  the  letters  appeared,  and 
he  was  made  acquainted  with  every  arrangement  they 
had  made.  The  day  following  was  fixed  upon  to  put 
the  plan  in  execution.  The  city  of  Olmutz  is  situated 
about  thirty  miles  from  the  frontiers  of  bilesia,  in  the 
midst  of  a  plain,  which,  taking  the  town  as  its  centre, 
extends  three  miles  each  way.  The  plain  is  bounded 
by  rising  ground,  covered  with  bushes  and  broken 
rocks;  so  that  a  man  standing  on  the  walls  might  dis- 
tinctly see  everything  that  passed  on  the  plain.  Sen- 
tinels were  placed  for  the  purpose  of  giving  an  alarm 
when  any  piisoner  was  attempting  to  escape,  and  all 
people  were  ordered  to  assist  in  retaking  him  :  great 
rewards  were  likewise  due  to  the  person  who  arrested 
a  prisoner.  It  seemed  therefore  scarcely  possible  to 
succeed  in  such  an  attempt.  Aware  of  these  difficul- 
ties, Bollman  and  Huger  were  not  intimidated,  but  took 
their  measures  with  the  greater  caution. 

Under  pretence  that  his  health  required  air  and  ex- 
ercise, Fayette  had  obtained  permission  to  ride  out  up- 
on the  plain  every  day  in  an  open  cabriolet,  accompa- 
nied by  an  officer,  and  attended  by  an  armed  soldier, 
who  mounted  behind  by  way  of  guard.  During  these 
excursions  he  had  gained  the  confidence  of  the  office* 
so  far,  that  when  the  carriage  was  at  a  distance  trorn 
the  walls  they  used  to  quit  it,  and  walk  togethei. 


312  MEMOIRS  OF 


The  plan  determined  upon  was  this  ;  Bollman  and 
Huger  were  to  ride  out  of  town  on  horseback,  the  lat- 
ter leading  a  third  horse  ;  as  neither  of  them  knew 
Fayette,  a  signal  was  agreed  upon  at   their  meeting. 
Fayette  was  to  endeavour  to  gain  as  great  a  distance 
as  possible  from  the  town,  and,   as  usual,  to  quit  the 
carriage  with  the  officer,  and  draw  him  imperceptibly 
as  far  from  it  as  he  could,  without  exciting  his  suspi- 
cions.    The  two  friends  were  then  to  approach,   and, 
if  necessary,  to  overpower  the  officer,  mount  Fayette 
upon  the  horse  Huger  led,  and  ride  away  full  speed  to 
Bautropp,  \5  miles  distant,  where  a  chaise  a;id  horses 
awaited  to  convey  them  to  Trappaw,  the  nearest  town 
within  the  Prussian   dominions,  about   oO  miles  from 
Olmutz,  where  they   would  be  safe  from  pursuit.     In 
the   morning,  Huger  sent  hi*  trus'y   servant  to  endea- 
vour to  learn  the  precise  time  that  Fayette  left  the 
castle.     Alter  a   tedious  delay,  he  returned,  and  told 
them    that  the  carriage   had  just    passed    the  gates. 
With  agitated  hearts  they  set  out;  having  gained  the 
plain,  they   could   perceive  no  carriage;  they    rode 
slowly  on,  till   they   bad    nearly    reached   the  w -ody 
country,  but  ^till  no  carnage  appeared.     Alarmed  iest 
some  unforeseen  accident  should  have  led  to  a  discov- 
er).  ;hev    hesitated;  but.   recollecting  that  their  mo- 
tions might  be  distinctly  seer  From  the  walls,  they  re- 
ti.t<  rd  their  steps,  and  had  arrived  at  a  short  distance 
from  the  town,  when  they  beheld  the  long  wished  for 
cabriolet    pass  through  the  gales,  with  two  persons  in 
it,   one   in    the  Austrian  uniform,   and   a   musqueteer 
mounted  behind.     On  passing,  they  gave  the  precon- 
certed signal,  which  was   returned,   and  the  carnage 
moved  on.     They   continued  their    ride    towards  the 
town,  then  turned,  and  slowly  followed  the'earria^e. 
They  loitered,  in  order  to  give  Fayette  tune  to  execute 
his  part  of  the  agreement.     They   observed  the  two 
gentlemen  descend  from  the  carriage,  and  walk  from 
it  arm  in  arm.     They  approached  gradually,  and  per- 


LA  FAYETTE. 


reiving  that  Fayette  and  the  officer  appeared  to  be  en- 
gaged in  earnest  conversation  about  the  officer's  sword, 
which  Fayette  had  at  the  time  in  his  hand,  they  thought 
this  the  favourable  moment,  and  put  spurs  to  their 
horses.  The  noise  of  their  approach  alarmed  the  of- 
ficer, who,  turning  round,  and  seeing  two  horsemen  co- 
ming up  full  gallop,  he  hastened  to  join  the  cabriolet, 
pulling  Fayette  with  him ;  finding  resistance,  he  en- 
deavoured to  get  possession  of  his  sword,  and  a  strug- 
gle ensued.  Huger  arrived  at  this  moment ;  "  You 
are  free,  said  he  ;  seize  this  horse,  and  fortune  be  our 
guide."  He  had  scarce  spoken  when  the  gleam  of  the 
sun  upon  the  blade  of  the  sword  startled  the  horse,  he 
broke  his  bridle,  and  fled  precipitately  over  the  plain. 
Bollman  rode  after  to  endeavour  to  take  him.  Mean- 
time Huger,  with  a  gallantry  and  generosity  seldom 
equalled,  but  never  excelled,  insisted  on  Fayette's 
mounting  his  horse,  and  making  all  speed  to  the  place 
of  rendezvous  :  "  Lose  no  time,  the  alarm  is  given,  the 
peasants  are  assembling,  save  yourself."  Fayette 
mounted  his  horse,  left  Huger  on  foot,  and  was  soon 
out  of  sight.  Bollman  had  in  vain  pursued  the  fright- 
ened horse,  and  perceiving  he  had  taken  the  road  to 
the  town,  gave  up  the  chase,  and  returned  to  Huger, 
who  got  up  behind  him,  and  they  galloped  away  to- 
gether. They  had  not  gone  far  when  the  horse,  une- 
qual to  such  a  burthen,  stumbled  and  fell,  and  Boll- 
man was  so  bruised  with  the  fall,  that  with  difficulty- 
he  could  rise  from  the  ground.  The  gallant  Huger 
assisted  his  friend  upon  the  horse,  and  again  forgetting 
all  selfish  considerations,  desired  him  to  follow  and  as- 
sist Fayette,  and  leave  him  to  make  his  escape  on  foot, 
which  he  said  he  could  easily  do,  as  he  was  a  good 
runner,  and  the  woody  country  was  close  at  hand. 
Bollman  with  reluctance  consented.  Upon  the  ap- 
proach of  the  horsemen,  the  soldier  who  had  remain 
ed  with  the  cabriolet,  instead  of  coming  to  the  assist- 
ance of  the  officer,  ran  back  to  the  town  ;  but  ltng  be » 
27 


314  MEMOIRS  OF 


fore  he  arrived  the  alarm  was  given  ;  for  the  whole  o$ 
the  transaction  had  been  observed  from  the  walls,- 
the  cannon  fired,  and  the  country  was  raised.  Boll 
man  easily  evaded  his  pursuers,. by  telling  them  he  was 
himself  in  pursuit.  Huger  was  not  so  fortunate  ;  hf> 
had  been  marked  by  a  party,  who  never  lost  sight  of 
him  ;  yet  his  hunters  being  on  foot  like  himself,  he 
might  have  readied  his  covert,  had  they  not  been  join- 
ed by  others  who  were  fresh  in  the  chase  :  they  gain- 
ed ground  upon  him,  and  at  the  moment  he  had  reach- 
ed a  place  where  he  hoped  he  might  rest  awhile,  quite 
exhausted  with  fatigue  and  breathless  he  sunk  to  the 
earth,  and  a  peasant  came  up — he  offered  him  his  purse 
to  assist  his  escape;  the  Austrian  snatched  the  money 
with  one  hand,  and  seized  him  with  the  other,  calling 
to  his  companions  to  come  to  his  help.  Resistance 
was  vain,  and  the  intrepid  Huger  was  conveyed  back 
to  Olmutz  in  triumph,  inwardly  consoling  himself  with 
the  glorious  idea,  that  he  had  been  the  cause  of  rescu- 
ing from  tyranny  and  misery  a  man  he  esteemed  one 
of  the  first  characters  upon  earth.  He  was  shut  up  in 
a  dungeon  of  the  castle  as  a  state  prisoner. 

Meanwhile  Fayette  took  the,  road  he  was  directed, 
and  arrived  without  any  obstacle  at  a  small  town  about 
ten  miles  from  Olmutz  :  here  the  road  divided  5  that 
leading  to  Trappaw  lay  to  the  right,  unfortunately  he 
took  the  left.  He  had  scarce  left  the  town,  when  per- 
ceiving the  road  turning  too  much  to  the  left,  he  sus- 
pected he  had  mistaken  his  way,  and  inquired  of  a  per- 
son he  met  the  way  to  Bautropp.  The  man,  eyeing 
him  with  a  look  of  curiosity,  at  length  told  him  he  had 
missed  his  way,  but  directed  him  to  take  another, 
which  he  said  would  soon  lead  him  right.  This  man, 
from  Fayette's  appearance,  his  horse  in  a  foam,  his 
foreign  accent,  and  the  inquiries  he  made,  suspected 
him  to  be  a  prisoner  making  his  escape  ;  he  therefore 
directed  him  a  road  which  by  a  circuit  led  him  back  to 
the  town,  ran  himself  to  the  magistrate,  and  told  him 


LA  FAYETTE.  316 


his  suspicions  ;  so  that  when  Fayette  thought  himself 
upon  the  point  of  regaining  the  road  which  would  soon 
secure  his  retreat,  he  found  himself  surrounded  by  a 
guard  of  armed  men,  who,  regardless  of  his  protesta- 
tions, conveyed  hi  in  to  the  magistrate.  He  was  how- 
ever so  collected,  that  he  gave  the  most  plausible  an- 
swers to  the  interrogations  that  were  put  to  him :  he 
said  he  was  an  officer  of  excise  belonging  to  Trappaw, 
and  that  having  friends  at  Olmutz,  he  had  been  there 
upon  a  visit;  had  been  detained  there  by  indisposition 
longer  than  he  intended,  and,  as  his  time  of  leave  of 
absence  was  expired,  he  was  hastening  back,  and  beg- 
ged he  might  not  be  detained,  for  if  he  did  not  reach 
Trappaw  that  day,  he  was  afraid  his  absence  might  be 
noticed,  and  he  should  lose  his  office.  The  magistrate 
was  so  much  prepossessed  in  his  favour  by  this  account, 
and  by  the  readiness  of  his  answers  to  every  question, 
that  he  expressed  himself  perfectly  satisfied,  and  was 
going  to  dismiss  him,  when  the  door  of  an  inner  room 
opened,  and  a  young  man  entered  with  papers  for  the 
magistrate  to  sign.  While  this  was  doing  the  young 
man  fixed  his  eyes  upon  Fayette,  and  immediately 
whispered  the  magistrate  :  "  Who  do  you  say  he  is  Vs 
"  The  General  La  Fayette."  '•  How  do  you  know 
him  ?"  "  I  was  present  when  the  General  was  deliv- 
ered up  by  the  Prussians  to  the  Austrians  at ; 

this  is  the  man,  I  cannot  be  mistaken." 

Fayette  entreated  to  be  heard.  The  magistrate 
told  him  it  was  useless  for  him  to  speak  ;  he  must  con- 
sent immediately  to  be  conveyed  to  Oimutz.  and  his 
identity  would  then  be  ascertained.  Dismayed  and 
confounded,  he  submitted  to  his  hard  fate,  was  carried 
back  to  Olmutz,  and  the  same  day  which  rose  to  him 
with  the  fairest  prospects  of  happiness  and  liberty,  be- 
held him  at  the  close  of  it  plunged  instill  deeper  mis- 
ery and  imprisonment.  Bollman,  having  eluded  the 
search  of  his  pursuers,  arrived  at  the  place  wherts  the 
;haj«e  had  been  ordered  to  wait  their  coming.     Find* 


316  Memoirs  of 


ing  it  still  there,  and  yet  no  appearance  of  Fayette,  he 
foreboded  mischief.  With  as  much  patience  as  he 
could  command,  he  remained  till  evening,  not  yet  giv- 
ing up  all  hopes  of  a  fortunate  issue  to  their  adventure. 
Me  dismissed  the  chaise,  however,  and  made  a  circuit- 
ous journey,  in  hopes  his  friends  might  have  escaped  by 
a  different  route  ;  but  could  gain  no  information  what 
ever,  till,  on  the  third  day,  a  rumour  of  Fayette  having 
been  retaken  in  attempting  his  escape,  dissipated  bis 
hopes ;  and,  anxious  to  learn  the  truth,  he  took  the 
road  to  Olmutz.  He  soon  was  told  the  melancholy 
tale,  with  the  addition,  that  his  friend  Huger  had  shar- 
ed a  similar  fate.  In  despair  at  having  been  the  pri- 
mary cause  of  his  misfortune,  and  determining  to  share 
it  with  him,  he  voluntarily  surrendered  himself,  and 
was  committed  a  prisoner  to  the  castle. 

Thus,  by  a  train  of  most  untoward  accidents,  which 
no  prudence  could  foresee  or  guard  against,  failed  a 
plan  so  long  meditated,  and  so  skilfully  projected, —  * 
The  reader's  attention  must  now  be  confined  chiefly 
to  Huger.  The  day  after  his  entrance  into  the  castle. 
Huger  received  notice  from  the  jailor  to  prepare  for 
an  examination  before  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  city. 

As  he  was  not  conscious  of  having  committed  any 
very  heinous  crime,  he  was  under  no  apprehension* 
for  his  life ;  but  expected  that,  after  he  had  told  his 
story,  and  declared  the  motive  of  his  actions,  his  judge 
might  subject  him  to  some  slight  punishment,  per- 
haps a  short  imprisonment :  what  then  was  his  amaze- 
ment, when  he  heard  himself  accused  of  having  enter- 
ed into  a  conspiracy  against  the  Austrian  government. 

The  examination  was  carried  on  by  means  of  an  in- 
terpreter, a  young  man  of  a  benign  aspect,  who  seemed 
to  compassionate  his  situation,  and  who,  when  he  gave 
such  answers  as  he  thought  might  tend  to  hurt  his 
cause,  made  him  repeat  his  answers,  softening  their 
import,  assuring  him  that  he  did  not  exactly  express 
himself  in  proper  terms,  and  desiring  him  to  recollecr 


LA  FAYETTE. 


whether  he  did  not  mean  to  answer  in  such  and  such 
a  manner.  Huger  saw  his  good  intentions,  and  deter- 
mined to  rely  on  his  judgment,  especially  alter  he  had 
heard  him  say  in  a  low  voice,  "  I  am  your  friend. ,? 
After  this,  and  many  subsequent  examinations,  the 
magistrates  informed  him  he  must  not  expect  pardon, 
hut  advised  him  to  prepare  for  the  worst.  This  ex- 
hortation, so  often  repeated,  began  io  have  some  ef- 
fect upon  him,  and  considering  he  was  in  the  power  of 
an  absolute  monarch,  whose  will  was  superior  to  law, 
he  could  not  shake  oif  some  melancholy  presages. 
His  place  of  confinement  was  a  loathsome  dungeon, 
without  light ;  he  was  fed  with  the  coarsest  food  ; 
chained  to  the  floor  during  the  night  ;  his  own  clothes 
taken  from  him,  and  others  sent  him  that  had  already 
been  worn  by  many  an  unfortunate  prisoner.  Thus 
he  dragged  on  the  first  three  months  of  his  confinement. 
After  that  time,  he  was  removed  to  a  better  room,  in- 
to which  glimmered  a  borrowed  light ;  better  clothes, 
and  more  wholesome  food  were  given  him,  and  his  cir- 
cumstances, in  every  respect,  were  improved.  But 
still  he  was  uncertain  as  to  his  fate,  and  the  jailer  was 
the  only  human  being  that  visited  him.  One  day  he 
was  surprised  with  the  appearance  of  his  young  friend 

the  interpreter,  Mr.  W .     Nothing  could  exceed 

his  joy  at  once  more  beholding  a  kindly  human  face. 
He  informed  Huger,  that  the  court  of  Austria  had  be- 
lieved that  all  the  garrison  of  Olmutz  had  been  engaged 
in  the  conspiracy  ;  that  many  people  had  been  arrest- 
ed upon  suspicion  ;  for  it  could  not  be  believed,  that 
two  such  young  men  as  he  aud  Bollman  could  have 
formed  and  executed  so  daring  a  plan  without  the  aid 
of  others  ;  but  as  no  proofs  had  hitherto  appeared,  it 
was  determined  to  bring  them  shortly  to  trial,  and  for 
that  purpose,  lawyers  were  to  be  sent  from  Vienna,  to 
assist  the  magistrates  of  the  city.  Huger  now  for  the 
first  time,  learned  the  complete  failure  of  their  scheme, 
and  that  Bollman  was  under  the  same  roof  with  kirn* 
27* 


MEMOIRS  OF 


However  sad  the  reflection  was,  that  his  friend's  suf- 
ferings equalled  his  own,  yet  he  could  not  express  the 
joy  he  felt  at  being  so  near  him.  Soon  after,  he  dis- 
covered, that  he  inhabited  the  room  above  him. 
Thenceforward  his  treatment  was  much  less  rigorous  ; 
even  the  jailer,  who  till  lately,  had  observed  a  pro- 
found silence,  relaxed  his  caution,  and  came  frequent- 
ly to  visit  him  ;  and  though  a  man  of  (ew  words,  yet 
as  his  presence  broke  the  dreary  solitude,  he  felt  hap- 
py whenever  he  made  his  appearance.  Many  were 
the  experiments  he  tried  to  hold  communication  with 
Bollman,  and  at  length  he  succeeded. 

He  discovered  that  the  window  which  threw  a  bor- 
rowed light  into  his  cell,  served  likewise  to  throw 
light  into  that  of  Bollman.  He  picked  a  piece  of  lime 
from  the  wall,  and  with  it  scratched  a  few  words  upon 
a  black  silk  handkerchief  he  wore  about  his  neck  ; 
then  fixing  it  upon  a  stick,  he  climbed  up  the  side  of 
the  room,  and  raised  the  stick  as  near  the  common 
window  as  he  could,  till  it  had  attracted  the  attention 
of  Bollman,  who,  after  many  efforts,  made  himself 
master  of  it,  and  returned  an  answer  by  the  same  me- 
thod. Delighted  with  having  overcome  this  difficulty, 
they  never  suffered  a  day  to  pass  without  some  com- 
munication.    To  W they  were  indebted   for  the 

means  of  rendering  their  situation  still  more  comforta- 
ble, by  engaging  the  jailer's  wife  in  their  interest ;  a 
few  presents,  and  now  and  then  a  small  piece  of  mo- 
ney, induced  her  secretly  to  bring  them  books,  food, 
wine  and  warmer  clothes  ;  and  at  length  to  procure  a 
meeting  between  the  two  friends,  at  first  short,  but  by 
degrees  become  more  hardy,  they  were  permitted  to 
pass  some  part  of  every  day  together.  The  following 
is  an  extraact  of  a  letter  written  by  Huger  by  a  near 
friend  and  relation,  which,  as  it  describes  his  situation 
and  feelings  in  a  forcible  manner,  ought  not  to  be 
omitted. 

"  I  am  equally  ignorant  how  thii  affair  may  hare 


LA  FAYETTE.  31  y 


been  represented,  or  what  may  be  thought  in  these 
times,  of  an  attempt  to  deliver  M.  de  La  Fayette. — 
The  motives  which,  however,  induced  me  to  engage  in 
it  cannot  be  judged  by  those  who  examine  all  similar 
enterprises  according  to  their  success  or  failure.  Be- 
lieve me,  it  was  neither  unreasonably  undertaken,  nor 
rashly  executed,  but  failed  from  accidents  which  pru- 
dence could  not  foresee.  To  the  mortification  of  a 
failure  were  added  the  miseries  of  a  prison,  which,  in 
Austria,  exceed  any  thing  known  in  England.  In  a 
small  room,  just  long  enough  for  my  bed  of  straw, 
with  eight-pence  a  day  for  my  support ;  at  night  chain- 
ed to  the  ground,  and  without  books  or  light,  I  passed 
the  first  three  months  of  my  captivity.  After  this  time 
my  situation  became  gradually  better,  but  I  was  not 
allowed  to  write  to  my  friends,  to  be  delivered  from 
my  chains,  or  permitted  the  smallest  intercourse  with 
the  world,  till  a  fortnight  before  my  release. 

"  In  such  a  situation,  the  consciousness  alone  of  ha- 
ving done  nothing  dishonest  or  dishonourable,  could 
afford  that  internal  satisfaction,  and  inspire  that  stern 
patience,  necessary  to  support  calmly  so  sudden  and 
severe  a  reverse  of  fortune  ;  but  it  has  convinced  me, 
that  a  mind  at  peace  with  itself,  can  in  no  situation  be 
unhappy.  Daily  habit  also  soon  removed  the  uuplea- 
sant  sensations  excited  by  disagreeable  and  unaccus- 
tomed objects,  and  the  mind,  which  no  power  can  re- 
strain, will  always  derive  censolation  from  hope,  and 
rarely  want  some  subject  to  be  actively  employed  up- 
on. My  friend  and  companion,  Mr.  Bollman,  was  in 
the  same  house,  and  our  efforts  to  establish  some  com- 
munication, or  to  procure  a  momentary  interview,  af- 
forded exercise  for  invention  ;  and,  in  proportion  to 
the  difficulty  of  effecting  our  wishes,  the  smallest  suc- 
cess rewarded  days  of  projects  and  expectation.  I 
once,  also,  found  means  to  disengage  myself  from  my 
chains,  and  felt  an  emotion  beyond  the  power  of  words 
to  ^escribe.     The  slave,  liberated  by  the  bounty  of  his 


320  MEMOIRS  OF 


master,  experiences  nothing  similar  to  it;  he  feels  ob- 
ligation for  a  favour  conferred  ;  but  a  person  formerly 
free,  breaking  the  chain  of  tyranny  and  oppression,  has 
the  double  enjoyment  of  overcoming  his  enemy,  and 
regaining  his  liberty  by  his  own  exertions.  Mine  was 
but  ideal,  for  I  was  still  surrounded  by  walls  and  sen- 
tinels :  it  was  an  event  which  might  be  of  such  conse- 
quence that  1  did  not  permit  the  reality  to  interrupt 
the  happiness  it  afforded  me  :  and  1  probably  felt  more 
enjoyment  at  that  moment,  than  in  general  one  half  of 
the  world  ever  experienced  in  their  lives,  even  those 
possessing  freedom,  wealth,  and  friends.  My  long 
captivity  has  not  then  been  wholly  miserable,  nor  with- 
out some  pleasure." 

At  length,  at  the  end  of  seven  months,  they  were  in- 
formed that  the  crown  lawyers  were  arrived.  The 
government  by  this  time  was  satisfied,  that  the  attempt 
to  liberate  La  Fayette  was  planned  independently  by 
two  adventurers,  and  that  it  was  not  a  plot  laid  by  the 
secret  agents  of  France,  in  which  the  garrison  of  01- 
mutz  at  least  was  concerned,  if  it  were  not  more  wide- 
ly extended;  and  upon  their  trial,  the  sole  fact  of  ha- 
ving attempted  to  rescue  a  state  prisoner  was  alleged 
against  them. 

This  fact  being  proved,  they  were  remanded  to  their 
prison,  to  await  the  sentence  which  was  to  be  pro- 
nounced against  them  by  the  supreme  magisirate. — 
They  were  now,  however,  permitted  every  indul- 
gence but  liberty.     It  was  some  days  before  they  heard 

from  W ,  and  when  he  came,  they  were  astonished 

and  confounded  to  hear  from  him  that  their  punish- 
ment was  intended  to  be,  imprisonment  for  life.  He 
however  consoled  them  by  hinting,  that  if  they  could 
by  any  means  procure  money,  this  sentence  might  be 
changed  to  one  much  less  severe,  as  it  remained  with 
the  magistrate  to  pass  what  sentence  he  thought  pro- 
per, or  even  to  release  them  entirely.  Bollman  had  no 
fortune,  and  as  Huger  had  no  credit  in  Austria,  it  would 


LA  FAYETTE.  32! 


be  a  long  time  before  he  could  receive  a  remittance 
from  London.  W ,  their  guardian  angel,  promis- 
ed to  do  all  he  could  for  them. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Olmutz  resided  a  Russian  noble- 
man, of  most  polished  manners,  joined  to  the  greatest 

benevolence  of  heart.     With  him  W enjoyed  a 

perfect  intimacy  and  friendship  ;  they  were  congenial 

souls.     W had  made   him  acquainted  with  the 

whole  of  their  story  ;  through  him  he  had  been  able  to 
administer  so  frequently  to  their  comfort  ;  and  he  now 
nobly  offered  to  advance  them  whatever  money  they 
might  want  to  accomplish  their  release,  and  to  defray 
their  expenses  to  Hamburgh.  Having  thus  removed 
the  greatest  difficulty,  his  next  care  was  to  sound  the 
sentiments  of  the  magistrate.  This  he  could  easily 
effect,  as,  in  the  capacity  of  interpreter,  he  had  con- 
stant communication  with  him.  He  soon  discerned 
that  the  magistrate  was  not  averse  to  his  speaking  in 
their  favour  ;  and  when  he  artfully  insinuated  that  a 
large  reward  would  certainly  attend  his  declariug  him- 
self inclined  to  pardon,  he  found  he  was  listened  to 
with  more  attention.  Having  gained  this  point,  he- 
very  soon  came  to  an  eclaircissement.  The  magis- 
trate  made  an   exorbitant   demand  ;    W said  it 

was  useless  for  him  to  go  to  the  prisoners  with  such 
terms,  and,  as  he  knew  exactly  the  state  of  theirfiuan- 
qes,  he  could  at  once  mention  what  they  had  to  give, 
and  therefore  the  utmost  he  could  expect.  This  sum 
was  fifty  pieces.     He  refused   to  comply  for  less  than 

a  hundred.     In  answer  to  this,  W desired  him  to 

consider,  that  if  he  delayed  his  determination  he  might 
lose  his  prize  altogether,  fur  that  great  interest  wa? 
making  at  Vienna  for  the  release  of  the  prisoner*, 
which  he  had  no  doubt  would  succeed,  as,  amongst 
others,  the  English  and  American  ambassadors  had 
exerted  themselves  in  their  favour.  This  upright  ma- 
gistrate at  last  yielded  to  the  impulse  of  avarice,  and 
agreed  that,  if  the  prisoners  would  send  him  the  rrm* 


352  Memoirs  of 


ney  before  they  left  the  prison,  they  should  be  releas- 
ed the  next  day.  To  this  he  answered,  that  they  were 
so  distrustful  of  all  about  them,  that  he  was  certain 
they  would  rather  await  the  result  of  the  petition  at 
Vienna,  than  part  with  their  little  stock  of  money  at 
an  uncertainty,  but  added,  that  he  himself  would  be- 
come their  security,  and  he  answerable  to  him  for  the 
money  in  case  they  did  not  pay  it.  To  this  he  agreed, 
and  W was  authorised  to  negotiate  with  the  pris- 
oners. All  matters  being  soon  settled,  the  term  of 
their  imprisonment  was  first  fixed  at  fourteen  years. 
then  shortened  to  seven,  soon  after  to  one,  then  to  a 
month,  and  lastly  to  a  week  ;  at  the  expiration  of  which 
they  were  released  from  prison.  They  immediately 
repaired  to  the  house  of  the  magistrate,  to  return  him 
thanks  for  the  many  indulgences  he  had  allowed  them, 
and  upon  shaking  hands  with  him,  the  stipulated  sum 
was  put  into  his  hands.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed  they 
made  a  long  stay  at  Olmutz  ;  no  longer  than  was  ne- 
cessary to  pour  out  their  grateful  acknowledgments  to 
the  Russian  nobleman,  and  above  all,  to  the  noble- 
minded,  generous   W ,   to   whose   kindness  they 

owed  all  the  comforts  they  had  experienced  in  prison, 
and  to  whose  friendly  and  humane  exertions  they  were 
ultimately  indebted  for  their  liberation. 

"  La  Fayette,  in  the  meantime,  was  thrown  back 
into  his  obscure  and  ignominious  sufferings,  with  hard- 
ly a  hope  that  they  could  be  terminated  except  with  his 
life.  During  the  winter  of  1794-5,  he  was  reduced  to 
almost  the  last  extremity  by  a  violent  fever;  and  yet 
was  deprived  of  proper  attendance,  of  air,  of  suitable 
food,  and  of  decent  clothes.  To  increase  his  misery, 
he  was  made  to  believe  that  he  was  reserved  for  pub- 
lic execution,  and  that  his  chivalrous  deliverers  had 
already  perished  on  a  scaffold  ;  while  at  the  same  time 
he  was  not  permitted  to  know  whether  his  family  were 
gtill  alive  or  had  fallen  under  the  revolutionary  axe, 
of  which,  during  the  time  he  was  out  of  his  dungeon, 
he  h'4d  heard  such  appalling  accounts*" 


LA  FAYETTE.  325 


"  Madame  La  Fayette,  however,  was  nearer  to  him 
than  he  could  imagine  to  have  been  possible.  She 
[with  her  two  daughters]  had  been  released  from  pris- 
on, where  she  too  had  nearly  perished  ;  and  having 
gained  strength  sufficient  for  the  undertaking,  and  sent 
her  eldest  son  for  safety  to  the  care  of  General  Wash- 
ington, she  sat  out  accompanied  by  her  two  young 
daughters,  all  in  disguise,  with  American  passports. — 
They  were  landed  at  Altona,  and  proceeding  immedi- 
ately to  Vienna,  obtained  an  audience  with  the  Em- 
peror, who  refused  to  liberate  La  Fayette,  but  as  it 
now  seems  probable,  against  the  intentions  of  his  min- 
isters, gave  them  permission  to  join  him  in  his  prison. 
They  went  instantly  to  Oimutz;  but  before  they  could 
enter,  they  were  deprived  of  whatever  they  had  brought 
with  them  to  alleviate  the  miseries  of  a  dungeou,  and 
required,  if  they  should  pass  its  threshold,  never  again 
to  leave  it. 

"  Madame  La  Fayette's  health  soon  sunk  under  the 
complicated  sufferings  and  privations  of  her  loathsome 
imprisonment,  and  she  wrote  to  Vienna  for  permission 
to  pass  a  week  in  the  capital,  to  breathe  purer  air,  and 
obtain  medical  assistance.  Two  months  elapsed  be- 
fore any  answer  was  returned  ;  and  then  she  was  told 
that  no  objection  would  be  made  to  leaving  her  hus- 
band, but  that  if  she  should  do  so,  she  must  never  re- 
turn to  him.  She  immediately  and  formally  signed 
her  consent  and  determination  to  share  his  captivity 
in  all  its  details.  Madame  de  Stael  has  well  observed, 
when  on  this  part  of  the  history  of  the  French  Revolu- 
tion :  "  Antiquity  offers  nothing  more  admirable,  than 
the  conduct  of  General  La  Fayette,  his  wife  and 
daughters,  in  the  prison  of  Oimutz." 

u  One  more  attempt  was  made  to  effect  the  libera- 
tion of  La  Fayette,  and  it  was  made  in  the  place  and 
in  the  way  that  might  have  been  expected.  When 
the  Emperor  of  Austria  refused  the  liberty  of  her  hus- 
band to  Madame  La  Fayette,  he  told  her  that  'hi* 


324  MEMOIRS  OF 


hands  were  tied.'  In  this  remark,  the  Emperor  could, 
of  course,  allude  to  no  law  or  constitution  of  his  em- 
pire, and  therefore,  his  hands  could  be  tied  only  by 
engagements  with  his  allies,  in  the  war  against 
1  "ranee. 

ki  England  was  one  of  these  allies,  and  therefore, 
General  Fitzpatrick,  in  the  House  of  Commons,  on  the 
16th  of  December,  179G,made  amotion  for  an  inquiry 
into  the  case.  He  was  supported  by  Colonel  Tarle- 
ton,  who  had  fought  La  Fayette  in  Virginia,  by  Wil- 
berforce,  and  by  Fox,  but  the  motion  was  lost.  One 
effect,  however,  unquestionably  followed  from  it.  A 
solemn  and  vehement  discussion,  on  La  Fayette's 
imprisonment,  in  which  the  Emperor  of  Austria  had 
no  apologist,  had  been  held,  in  the  face  of  all  Europe, 
and  all  Europe,  of  course,  was  informed  of  his  suffer- 
ings in  the  most  solemn  and  authentic  way.*t 

*  North  American  Review. 

t  From  the  following  debate  on  the  question,  whether  the 
British  Government  would  interfere  in  the  fate  of  La  Fay- 
ette, it  would  seem,  that  although  he  was  then  in  the  hands  of 
the  Emperor  of  Austria,  the  King  of  Prussia  was  master  of 
his  destiny. 

"Gen.  Fitzpatrick  observed,  that  the  disapprobation 
shown  by  the  Minister  on  a  former  night,  when  it  had  been 
mentioned  in  the  House,  that  the  King  of  Prussia  refused  to 
liberate  Monsieur  de  la  Fayette,  and  three  other  state  pris- 
oners, on  the  ground  that  they  were  the  prisoners  of  the  alli- 
ed powers,  was  sufficient  to  exempt  the  character  of  the 
British  nation  from  the  odium  of  having  any  share  in  so  ex- 
ecrable a  transaction.  He  thought,  however,  that  humanity, 
justice  and  policy,  required  an  interference  from  this  coun- 
try, in  behalf  of  this  unfortunate  man.  The  General  entered 
into  a  very  able  review  of  the  whole  conduct  of  Monsieur  de 
la  Fayette,  the  greater  part  of  which  has  been  detailed  in  our 
volumes  for  1791  and  1792 — his  firm  attachment  to  the 
constitution  of  1789,  which  had  been  approved  by  this 
country — his  loyalty,  which  was  proved  by  the  most  signal 


LA  FAYETTE.  32< 


The  writer  of  the  article  from  which  the  above  ex- 
tract is  made,  is  mistaken  when  he  says  that  the  Em- 
services  to  the  royal  family — and  his  refusal  to  join  the  re- 
publican party,  though  allured  by  every  honour  which  could 
flatter  his  ambition.  On  this  party  obtaining  the  ascendan- 
cy, what  was  his  conduct  ?  He  resolved  no  longer  to  head 
the  army,  though  he  would  not  lead  it  against  his  country, 
but  posted  it  so  advantageously,  that  Gen.  Clairfait  was  de- 
terred from  attacking  it.  When  commissioners  came  to  re- 
move him  from  the  command  of  the  army,  still  faithful  to 
the  constitution  and  monarchy  he  had  sworn  to  defend,  he 
consigned  them  to  the  civil  power.  He  soon  afterwards 
passed  the  frontier,  with  a  determination  not  to  join  the  ene- 
mies of  his  country,  and  this  was  the  cause  of  his  dungeon 
and  his  sufferings.  Had  he,  the  Generaljsaid,  deserted  his 
country,  as  a  traitor,  and  delivered  the  commissioners  to  the 
enemies  of  his  country,  he  would  have  now  been  at  liberty, 
and  his  virtues  extolled.  Had  he  carried  away  the  military 
Chest,  he  would  have  received  rewards.  On  neutral  ground 
(the  bishopric  of  Liege)  he  was  taken  prisoner.  He  was 
invited  by  the  promises  of  officers,  who  were  in  the  service 
of  Austria,  who  assured  him  of  a  safe  passage.  With  them 
he  was  taken  prisoner,  and  transferred  to  a  fortress  belong- 
ing to  the  King  of  Prussia,  where  he  was  offered  his  liberty, 
on  condition  of  joining  the  army  of  the  French  princes.  This 
he  refused  ;  and  then  the  officers  of  the  King  of  Prussia 
claimed  him  as  a  prisoner  of  their  master,  not  as  a  prisoner 
of  war.  Whatever  might  be  the  law  of  nations,  the  General 
said  he  thought  it  extremely  hard  to  confine  a  man  in  one 
nation  for  a  crime  committed  against  another  natiou.  La 
Fayette  and  three  other  gentlemen,  who  had  been  members 
of  the  constituent  assembly,  were  now  confined  in  filthy  and 
unwholesome  dungeons,  without  the  liberty  of  breathing  the 
fresh  air  more  than  one  hour  in  a  day,  and  debarred  from  all 
communication  with  each  other.  The  General  humanely 
urged  the  obligation  which  this  country  lay  under,  to  pro- 
tect Monsieur  La  Fayette,  according  to  the  proclamation  oi 
the  29th  October,  which  promised  protection  to  all  who 
should  throw  off  anarchy,  and  declare  for  monarchy.  If  we 
.refused  to  interfere,  what  dependanee  could  the  royalists 

28 


328  MEMOIRS  OF 


peror  of  Austria  had  no  apologist,  as  will  be  seen  on 
reading  the  debates  on  that  occasion,  and  also  by  the 

place  upon  our  promises  ?  He  noticed  the  gross  impolicy 
shown  in  our  conduct  towards  those  who  had  deserted  the 
republic,  and  warned  the  House  against  the  propagation  of 
an  opinion  that  this  country  was  not  sincere  in  the  procla- 
mation of  October  29th  ;  which  must  inevitably  be  the  case, 
if  we  did  not  mark  our  disapprobation  of  the  imprisonment 
of  Monsieur  La  Fayette  and  his  companions,  who  were  the 
defenders  of  the  constitution  of  1789.  A  favourable  mo- 
ment for  negotiating  upon  this  subject  might  certainly  be 
found  ;  as  for  instance,  when  solicitations  were  made  to  his 
Prussian  majesty  to  accept  a  sum  of  7  or  .£800,000  from 
this  country.  He  urged,  that  the  conduct  of  Monsieur  La 
Fayette  in  America,  ought  to  be  no  bar  to  such  an  interpo- 
sition, as  we  should  have  been  happy  to  have  saved,  by  such 
a  step,  the  life  of  Louis  the  sixteenth,  whose  conduct  in  the 
American  war,  would  never  have  been  thought  of  as  an  ob- 
stacle. The  General  continued  to  urge  the  policy  and  hu- 
manity of  this  interference,  and  mentioned  the  intention  of 
the  President  of  the  United  States,  to  make  an  application 
in  favour  of  the  unhappy  prisoner.  He  concluded,  by  mov- 
ing for  an  address  to  his  majesty,  stating,  that  the  detention 
of  Monsieur  de  La  Fayette  and  his  three  friends  in  prison, 
by  order  of  the  King  of  Prussia,  was  injurious  to  his  majesty 
and  the  cause  of  his  allies,  and  beseeching  him  to  intercede 
for  their  deliverance,  in  such  a  way  as  he  in  his  wisdom  shall 
jtadge  proper. 

"  This  motion  was  seconded  by  Col.  Tarleton,  who  gal- 
lantly expatiated  upon  the  merits  of  a  General  who  had 
once  been  his  adversary,  and,  to  prove  the  attachment  of 
Monsieur  La  Fayette  to  monarchy,  read  an  extract  of  a  let- 
ter from  him,  written  in  the  camp  at  Maubeuge.  This  let- 
ter, he  stated,  had,  on  its  arrival  in  Paris,  excited  against 
him  the  rancour  of  the  Jacobin  faction.  It  produced  an  ac- 
cusation against  him  before  the  Assembly,  which,  on  his  ar- 
rival, pronounced  a  unanimous  acquittal  and  approbation. 
In  histabsence,  Jacobin  emissaries  corrupted  his  army,  and 
he  resolved  to  flee  from  a  country  which  he  was  then  pre 
vented  from  serving. 


LA  FAYETTE.  327 


fact,  that  the  motion  for  interference  was   lost,  46  to 
153.     The  discussion,  however,  may  be  considered  as 


"  The  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer,  (Mr.  Pitt,)  denied 
that  the  four  persons  mentioned  in  the  motion  ever  were  the 
real  friends  of  liberty,  and  thought  their  detention  no  infrac- 
tion of  the  law  of  nations.  The  question,  he  said,  was, 
whether  this  country  was  implicated  to  interfere  from  mo- 
tives of  justice,  honour,  and  policy  ?  The  interference  re- 
quired would  be  setting  ourselves  up  as  guardians  of  the 
consciences  ot  foreign  states.  This  country  had,  he  said,  no 
participation  in  the  matter,  since  Monsieur  La  Fayette  had 
been  taken  prisoner  before  we  were  a  party  in  the  war. 
With  respect  to  the  gentleman  being  entitled  to  the  protection 
Of  this  country  on  account  of  the  proclamation  at  Toulon, 
that  declaration  was  addressed  only  to  such  as  were  willing 
to  come  as  friends  and  supporters  of  the  genuine  cause  of 
liberty.  This  was  not  the  case  with  Monsieur  La  Fayette 
and  his  friends.  He  should,  he  said,  oppose  the  motion  as 
equally  improper  and  unnecessary 

"  Mr.  Fox  thought  it  was  difficult  to  say  which  was  the 
more  extraordinary,  that  this  country  should  refuse  to  inter- 
fere, or  that  the  court  of  Berlin  should  exercise  such  abomi- 
nable tyranny.  On  the  pretext  alleged  for  continuing  the 
treatment  received  by  Monsieur  de  La  Fayette,  that  he  was 
the  prisoner  of  the  allied  powers,  not  to  interfere  was  to  be 
implicated  in  the  odium,  and  to  be  handed  down  to  posteri- 
ty, as  accomplices  in  the  diabolical  cruelty  of  the  Prussian 
cabinet.  Mr  Fox  stated  that  these  unfortunate  prisoners 
were  confined  in  separate  apartments,  suffered  only  to 
breathe  the  fresh  air  one  hour  in  a  day,  confined  in  subter- 
raneous caverns,  in  which  the  only  light  came  from  a  con- 
fined and  dreary  court,  where  the  execution  of  malefactors 
was  the  only  spectacle.  In  this  dreary  situation,  they  had 
still  one  comfort,  that  of  thinking  themselves  confined  under 
the  same  roof;  but  this  consolation  was  put  an  end  to,  by 
the  removal  of  two  of  them  to  another  prison  ;  and  the  re- 
quest of  Monsieur  La  Fayette  to  the  King  of  Prussia,  that 
Monsieur  Latour  Maubourg  might  remain  in  the  same  prison 
with  him,  was  denied.  Asa  proof  that  we  might  interfere 
in  such  a  case,  Mr.  Fox  cited  the  instance  of  an  application 


328  MEMOIRS  OF 


leading  to,  and  facilitating  his  release,  because  the  ar- 
guments for  still  keeping  him,  are  founded  on  no  better 

made  from  this  country  to  the  court  of  France  in  the  case  of 
Captain  Asgill.  He  did  not,  however,  conceive  that  any 
authority  was  requisite  on  the  present  occasion.  He  men- 
tioned, that  Monsieur  La  Fayette  was  neither  treated  as  a 
prisoner  of  war  nor  as  a  prisoner  of  state.  The  King  of 
Prussia  had  repeatedly  declared  him  and  his  friends  prison- 
ers to  the  allied  powers,  and  that  he  could  not  be  released 
but  by  their  consent ;  there  was  no  way  for  those  powers  to 
clear  themselves  from  such  an  imputation,  but  by  declaring 
their  disavowal  of  the  whole  proceeding.  National  honour 
and  policy  required  this.  Monsieur  La  Fayette,  he  contend- 
ed, stood  exactly  in  the  same  predicament  with  those  to 
whom  protection  had  been  offered  by  this  country.  Had  he 
staid  in  France,  and  come  forward  on  the  proclamation  at 
Toulon,  could  we  then  have  refused  him  protection  ?  Mr. 
Fox  mentioned,  that  the  treatment  experienced  by  Monsieur 
La  Fayette  and  his  friends,  had  prevented  many  persons  in 
France  from  joining  the  standard  of  royalty.  Frenchmen 
must  suppose,  from  our  conduct,  either  that  our  declarations 
were  as  faithless  as  those  of  the  King  of  Prussia,  and  the 
Prinee  of  Saxe  Cobourg,  or  that  our  allies  thought  differently 
from  us ;  that  all  the  supporters  of  limited  monarchy  were 
to  be  proscribed,  and  the  advocates  of  unlimited  monarchy 
only  protected.  He  showed  the  unpopularity  of  the  old 
government  of  France — so  much  so,  that  after  Louis  the 
seventeenth  was  proclaimed,  the  partisans  of  royalty  were 
with  much  difficulty  prevailed  upon  to  lay  aside  the  national 
cockade,  and  substitute  the  white  for  the  tri-coloured  flag. 
Mr.  Fox  mentioned,  in  pointed  terms,  fhe  abominable  trea- 
chery by  which  La  Fayette  had  been  captured.  Of  his 
company,  consisting  of  forty  persons,  all  but  himself  and 
three  others,  who  had  been  members  of  the  Constituent  As- 
sembly, were  released.  No  man  could,  he  said,  point  out 
that  part  of  the  law  of  nations,  by  which  the  subjects  of  one 
independent  nation  could  be  made  prisoners  of  state  by  the 
sovereign  of  another,  for  offences  committed,  or  supposed  to 
be  committed,  in  their  own  country  ;  it  could  only  be  done 
by- the  law  of  tyrants,  which  condemns  all  principles,,  hamarx 


LA  FAYETTE.  .329 


grounds,  than  the  want  of  a  precedent  to  do  a  humane 
act  ; — and  the  right  and  justice  of  revenge,  where  the 
power  exists  :  whereas  those  for  the  interference  are 
grounded  on  national  honour,  humanity  and  justice. 
Notwithstanding  the  efforts  which  had  been  made 
for  their  release,  La  Fayette  and  his  fellow  prisoners 
remained  immured  in  their  dark  and  loathsome  dun- 
geons,,until  about  the  middle  of  the  year  1797.  At 
this  period,  Bonaparte  settled  the  treaty  of  Campo 
Formio  with  the  Austrian  government.  In  the  arti- 
cles of  this  treaty  it  was  expressly  stipulated,  that  La 
Fayette  and  the  other  French  prisoners  confined  at 
Olmutz  should  be  liberated.  This  was  not  done, 
however,  without  an  attempt  to  prescribe  certain  con- 
ditions to  La  Fayette.  The  Emperor  of  Austria  on 
this  occasion,  commissioned  the  Marquis  de  Chasteler 
to  take  charge  of  the  negociation,   and    as  though   a 


and  divine.  Mr.  Fox  spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of  Mon- 
sieur La  Fayette  and  his  fellow  prisoners,  and  vindicated 
the  General  from  the  charge  which  had  been  urged  against 
him,  that  of  instigating  the  flight  of  the  royal  family,  and 
afterwards  betraying  them,  from  the  testimony  of  the  unfor- 
tunate Queen  on  her  trial.  ( 

"  Mr.  Burke  strongly  opposed  the  motion  on  the  ground 
that  no  precedent  existed  of  such  an  interference,  and  that  it 
was  improper,  as  w  had  forhorne  to  interfere  in  preventing 
the  numerous  massacres,  &c.  in  France.  Of  these  calami 
ties,  he  considered  Monsieur  La  Fayette  as  the  origin,  and 
the  author  of  all  the  miseries  that  had  befallen  France.  He 
ridiculed  all  interference  on  this  occasion,  and  arraigned,  in 
his  usual  unqualified  terms,  the  whole  conduct  of  the  unhap- 
py sufferers. 

"  Mr.  Grey  strongly  contended  in  favour  of  the  motion, 
which  was  further  supported  by  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr.  \V. 
Smith,  Mr.  Martin,  Mr.  Courtenay\  and  Mr.  Whitbread, 
junior  ;  and  opposed  by  Mr.  Ryder,  the  Solicitor  General, 
Mr.  Cocks,  and  Mr.  Addington.  On  a  division  of  i!iV 
House,  the  ayes  were  46,  noes  153."— Annual  Register. 
28* 


330  MEMOIRS  OF 


dungeon  for  five  years  had  not  been  sufficient  to  expi- 
ate the  imputed  crimes  of  La  Fayette,  the  Minister 
offered  him  terms  of  compromise,  by  which  his  libera- 
tion from  his  dungeon  should  be  bought  at  the  price 
of  his  general  freedom. 

Gen.  La  Fayette's  reply  to  the  terms  of  the  com- 
missioner, will  show  the  nature  of  this  attempt,  as 
well  as  the  General's  firmness  in  refusing  all  terms 
restricting  his  rights  as  a  citizen  of  France  and  Amer- 
ica.    It  is  as  follows  : 

"  The  commission,  with  the  execution  of  which 
Lieut.  General  the  Marquis  de  Chasteler  has  been 
charged,  seems  to  me  to  resolve  itself  into  the  conside- 
ration of  three  points  :  1st.  His  Imperial  Majesty  re- 
quires an  authenticated  statement  of  our  exact  situa- 
tion. I  am  not  disposed  at  present  to  complain  of 
any  grievances.  Several  representations,  however, 
on  this  subject,  may  be  found  in  the  letters  of  my  wife, 
transmitted  or  sent  back  by  the  Austrian  government  ; 
and  if  his  Majesty  is  not  satisfied  by  the  perusal  of  the 
instructions  sent,  in  his  name,  from  Vienna,  1  will 
cheerfully  communicate  toM.de  Chasteler  all  the 
information  he  can  possibly  desire. 

"  2nd.  His  Majesty,  the  Emperor  and  King  is  de- 
sirous of  obtaining  an  assurance,  that  upon  my  libera- 
tion, I  shall  immediately  leave  Europe  for  America. 
This  has  been  often  my  desire  and  my  intention  ;  but 
as  my  consent  at  this  moment,  to  his  Majesty's  request, 
would  constitute  an  acknowledgment  of  his  right  to 
impose  such  a  condition,  I  do  not  feel  disposed  to 
comply  with  this  demand. 

"  3d.  His  Majesty,  the  Emperor  and  King,  has 
graciously  done  me  the  honour  to  signify,  that  inas- 
much, as  the  principles  I  profess,  are  incompatible 
with  the  safety  of  the  Austrian  government,  he  can- 
not consent  to  allow  me  to  enter  his  territories  again, 
without  his  special  permission.  To  this,  I  have  only 
to  reply,  that  there  already  exist  antecedent  obliga- 


LA  FAYETTE.  331 


lions,  of  which  I  cannot  possibly  divest  myself,  partly 
towards  America,  but  mostly  towards  France  ;  and  I 
cannot  engage  to  do  any  thing  which  might  inter  ere 
with  the  rights  of  my  country,  to  my  personal  servi-  es» 
With  these  exceptions,  I  can  assure  the  Marquis  de 
Chasteler,  that  my  invariable  resolution  is,  not  to  set 
my  foot  upon  any  territory  under  the  dominion  of  his 
Majesty  the  King  of  Bohemia  and  Hungary." 

The  other  prisoners,  Maubourg  and  de  Puzy  made 
similar  objections  to  binding  themselves  not  to  enter 
the  Emperor's  dominion,  incase  their  country  required 
their  services  there.  It  was  therefore  arranged,  that 
all  the  prisoners  should  be  set  free  after  signing  the 
following  declaration  : 

"  The  undesigned  engage  towards  his  Majesty  the 
Emperor  and  King,  not  to  enter  at  any  time,  whatever, 
his  hereditary  provinces,  without  first  obtaining  his 
special  permission  ;  it  being  always  understood,  that 
the  rights  of  the  undersigned's  country  over  his  per- 
son, are  explicitly  reserved  and  retained." 

On  these  terms,  La  Fayette,  with  his  fellow  prison- 
ers, were  released  on  the  25th  of  August,  1797.  He 
had  been  confined  five  years,  and  Madame  La  Fayette 
and  her  daughters,  had  shared  his  prison  with  him 
twenty-two  months. 

If  all  the  circumstances  attending  La  Fayette  s  im- 
prisonment be  taken  into  consideration,  perhaps  a  par- 
allel case  for  injustice  and  cruelty  can  hardly  be  found 
in  the  annals  of  Monarchical  tyranny.  It  never  was 
pretended  that  he  was  taken,  or  retained  as  a  prison- 
er of  war.  No  charges  were  ever  formally  preferred 
against  him,  and  no  legal  judgment  ever  doomed  him 
to  punishment.  The  Jacobin  faction  of  Paris  outlaw- 
ed him,  confiscated  his  estates,  and  set  a  price  on  his 
head,  as  a  Royalist,  while  the  coalesced  Kings  of  Eu- 
rope immured  him  in  dungeons  as  a  Republican.  La 
Fayette  notwithstanding,  was  perfectly  consistent  in 
his  principles  and  conduct  throughout  those  (rials.   His 


332  MEMOIRS  OF 


determination  to  assist  the  Americans  proved  that  he 
was  strongly  attached  to  the  principles  of  national  and 
civil  liberty,  even  from  his  youth.  These  principles 
were  no  doubt  confirmed  and  strengthened  by  his  assO* 
ciation  with  Washington,  and  by  witnessing  the  scenes 
of  desolation  through  which  the  Americans  finally  tri- 
umphed over  despotism.  Under  the  ancient  monar- 
chies of  France,  freedom  was  unknown — nor  were  the 
principles  of  constitutional  liberty  at  all  understood* 
When,  therefore,  the  revolution  of  France  began,  it 
was  the  result  of  increasing  knowledge,  on  the  subject 
of  human  rights.  La  Fayette  understood  the  princi- 
ples of  human  rights,  and  was  attached  to  the  liberty 
of  man.  He  knew,  therefore,  that  the  rights  of  his 
countrymen  required  a  constitution  founded  on  these 
principles,  and  he  acted  accordingly.  At  the  begin- 
ning of  the  revolution,  when  a  member  of  the  States 
General,  he  offered  to  the  Assembly  a  bill  of  rights, 
taking  the  American  declaration  of  rights  as  the  basis* 
When  the  constitution  of  France  was  proposed,  he  was 
of  course  in  favour  of  the  measure,  as  a  means  of 
prescribing  and  securing  the  rights  of  the  people. 

These  were  the  crimes  for  which  he  was  incarcera- 
ted, and  for  which  the  monarchs  of  Europe  would 
have  consigned  him  to  perpetual  and  infamous  punish- 
ment. 

On  the  contrary,  La  Fayette  was  attached  to  his 
King,  not  only  personally,  but  as  the  head  of  the  go- 
vernment.. He  had  no  intention  of  changing  the  form 
of  government,  nor  did  he  ever  act  on  such  a  principle. 
He  only  desired  a  reform,  which,  without  touching  the 
prerogatives  of  the  King,  should  confer  more  freedom 
and  more  happiness  on  the  people,  and  these  were  the 
crimes  for  which  a  lawless  faction  set  a  price  upon 
bis  head. 

At  the  time  La  Fayette  was  liberated,  France  was 
still  in  two  unsettled  a  state  to  allow  him  safety  to  re- 
turn home.     He  therefore  proceeded   to  Hamburg, 


LA  FAYETTE.  333 


which  was  neutral  ground.  Here  he  caused  his  rights 
as  a  French  and  an  American  citizen  to  be  formally 
recognized,  and  then  retired  to  Holstein,  where  he  re- 
sided with  his  family  in  peace  for  two  years.  It  was' 
while  he  resided  here,  that  his  son  George  Washington 
La  Fayette,  returned  from  the  United  States  and  join- 
ed his  family.  His  mother,  to  save  him  from  the  mer- 
ciless foes  of  his  father,  had  sent  him  to  America,, 
where  he  resided  under  the  protection  and  in  the  fam- 
ily of  Washington.  While  here,  too,  their  eldest 
daughter  was  married  to  Latour  Maubourg,  brother  to 
him  who  shared  La  Fayette's  captivity.  In  1799, 
apparent  tranquility  being  established  in  France,  he 
returned  and  took  up  his  residence  at  La  Grange* 
about  forty  miles  from  Paris,  where  his  family  still 
remains. 

Agreeably  to  our  plan,  we  now  return  to  the  histo* 
ry  of  the  French  revolution,  during  the  period  of  La 
Fayette's  imprisonment,  and  down  to  the  time  of  Bo- 
naparte's consulship,  where  La  Fayette  again  ap- 
pears. 


S3*  MEMOTRS  OF 


CHAPTER  IX. 

#R0GHES8  OP  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION — TRIAL  AND  EXECU- 
TION OP  LOUIS  XVI. — EXECUTION  OF  THE  ClUEEN — APPEAR-. 
ANCB  OP  BONAPARTE,  &C. 

The  reader  has  already  seen  that  the  constitution 
Of  France  had  been  settled  on  the  oath  of  the  nation. 
On  the  1 4th  of  June,  17  90,  and  that  in  1792  it  was 
again  revised  by  the  National  Assembly,  and  approv- 
ed, article  by  article,  by  the  King.  It  has  also  been 
stated,  that  on  the  accession  of  the  jacobin  faction  to 
the  government,  the  constitution  was  abolished  by  a 
Vote  of  that  Assembly,  and  a  new  executive  body  was 
formed,  the  infamous  Danton  being  appointed  minister 
of  justice. 

From  this  time  the  reign  of  terror  began,  and  vio- 
lence and  murder  became  the  order  of  the  day.  Ro* 
"bespierre,  Marat  and  Danton,  became  the  leaders  of 
the  executive  body.  In  September,  1 792,  this  execra- 
ble association,  which  still  styled  themselves  the  Na- 
tional Assembly,  as  a  preliminary  to  the  death  of  the 
King,  which  they  had  determined  to  compass,  formal- 
ly passed  a  decree  abolishing  the  royalty  of  France.* 

On  the  2d  of  September,  the  Assembly  declared  the 

*  This  decree  was  as  follows  : 

"  The  National  Assembly  decrees  that  royalty  is  abol- 
yfhcd  in  France  ;  - 

"  That  all  public  acts  shall  be  dated — (  The  first  year  of 
the  French  Republic.' 

"That  the  seal  of  the  State  shall  be  changed,  and  hav£ 
for  legend,  i  French  Republic' 

"  And  that  the  national  seal  shall  represent  a  woman  sit* 
ting  on  a  bundle  of  arms,  and  having  in  her  hand  a  pike  with 
a  cap  of  liberty  upon  it ;  on  the  exergue  shall  be  engraved, 
1  Archives  of  the  French  Republic." 


LA  FAYETTE.  335 


nation  in  clanger  from  foreign  foes,  the  Prussians  ha* 
ving  passed  the  frontiers  of  France.  Instantly  Paris 
was  in  the  most  dreadful  alarm.  The  Assembly  pro- 
posed to  equip  a  volunteer  company,  which  should 
sally  forth  to  meet  the  enemy.  But. instead  of  having 
their  names  enrolled  in  the  different  sections  of  Paris, 
with  order  and  quietness,  they  ordered  that  the  alarm 
guns  should  be  fired,  and  the  tocsin,  or  alarm  bells  to 
be  sounded,  and  that  the  populace  of  Paris  should  be 
summoned  to  the  Champ  de  Mars,  from  whence,  as 
they  pretended,  they  were  to  march  against  the  ene- 
my. An  immense  concourse  assembled,  but  instead 
of  enrolling  their  names,  voices  were  heard  exclaiming 
"  we  are  ready  to  devote  ourselves  to  the  service  of 
Our  country  against  foreign  enemies,  but  we  must  first 
purge  the  nation  from  its  domestic  foes."  This  wag 
undoubtedly  done  at  the  private  direction  of  Robes> 
pierre  and  his  associates. 

Without  further  deliberation,  a  party  of  armed  meu 
proceeded  to  a  prison  where  a  number  of  priests  were 
Confined,  who  had  refused  the  oath  of  the  constitution. 
These,  in  cold  blood,  were  every  one  slain.  The  re* 
morseless  assassins  then  went  to  the  abbey  prison, 
where  the  Swisa  officers,  who  had  escaped  the  murders 
of  the  10th  of  August,  were  confined  for  having  at- 
tempted to  defend  their  sovereign.  There  the  mob 
empannelled  a  jury  of  their  number,  and  each  prison- 
er, before  he  was  slain,  was  insulted  by  a  mock  trial-. 
The  watchword  that  pronounced  the  culprit  guilty 
was  "  11  faut  le  la'rger,"*  on  which  the  miserable  man 
was  precipitated  into  the  street,  where  he  was  cut  to 
pieces  by  the  mob.  To  give  a  kind  of  authority  to 
these  massacres,  some  were  acquitted,  declared  to  be 
under  the  protection  of  the  nation,  and  were  led  home 
by  the  banditti. 


*  He  must  be  set  at  liberty. 


33£  MEMOIRS  OF 


Having  destroyed  all  the  Swiss  officers  they  found 
confined,  except  one,  this  more  than  savage  rabble 
proceeded  to  the  prison  of  La  Force,  where  the  ladies 
of  the  court,  who  were  arrested  on  the  10th  of  August, 
were  confined.  In  this  dungeon  was  the  beautiful  and 
accomplished  Princess  de  Lambelle,  who  had  been 
guilty  of  nothing  more  than  being  the  particular  friend 
and  confidante  of  the  Queen.  This  ill-fated  Princess 
was  dragged  from  her  bed,  her  head  severed  from  her 
body,  her  heart  torn  out,  and  both  were  placed  on  the 
end  of  a  pike,  and  carried  to  the  Palais  Royal,  and 
shown  to  the  Queen. 

After  their  formal  abolition  of  royalty,  the  National 
Assembly  threw  off*  all  reserve.  Every  emblem  of 
royalty  was  effaced.  The  words,  King,  Bourbon,  or 
any  other  word  which  tended  to  bring  to  mind,  that 
the  nation  ever  had  a  King,  was  destroyed  in  the 
streets.  The  streets,  squares  and  bridges,  were  named 
anew,  and  the  Assembly  decreed,  that  the  monuments 
and  statues  of  Kings  should  be  converted  into  cannon. 
The  virtues  of  Henry  IV.  so  lately  the  idol  of  the 
populace,  could  not  atone  for  the  crime  of  having  been 
a  King  ;  a  rope  was  put  round  the  neck  of  his  statue 
of  bronze,  and  he  was  hurled  from  his  pedestal  amidst 
the  shouts  of  the  mob. 

These  acts  were  only  a  prelude  to  the  destruction 
of  the  King  and  Queen  themselves. 

About  the  middle  of  September,  the  Assembly  hav- 
ing passed  a  decree  to  imprison  the  King  and  royal 
family,  they  were  immured  in  the  dreary  tower  of  the 
Temple  to  await  their  trial,  by  their  accusers. 

It  cannot  but  be  interesting  to  the  reader  to  be 
informed  of  the  particulars  of  the  confinement  of  this 
unfortunate  family,  and  of  the  trial  and  execution  of 
the  King  and  Queen. 

The  second  and  third  stories  of  the  Temple  were 
assigned  to  the  royal  prisoners.  But  being  single 
rooms,  they  had  been  divided  by  four  partitions^  ex- 


LA  FAYETTE.  337 


pressly  for  this  purpose.  The  ground  floor  was  occu- 
pied by  the  Municipal  officers.  The  first  story  was 
the  guard  room.  The  first  room  of  the  King's  story 
was  an  anti-chamber,  from  which  three  doors  led  to 
three  separate  apartments.  Opposite  the  entrance 
was  the  Kind's  chamber,  in  which  a  bed  was  also  pla- 
ced for  the  Dauphin.  Next  the  King's  room  was  that 
of  his  faithful  and  devoted  servant,  Clere,  who  has 
written  an  account  of  all  these  transactions.  The 
windows  were  secured  with  great  iron  bars,  and  slant- 
ing screen?  on  the  outside,  so  as  to  prevent  the  pris- 
oners from  being  seen.  The  embrasures  of  the  win- 
dows were  nine  feet  thick.  The  Queen  occupied  the 
third  story,  which  was  distributed  much  like  the  King's. 
In  this  dreadful  place,  more  horrible  on  ail  accounts 
than  any  the  Bastile  ever  contained,  the  royal  family 
were  shut  up  from  September  1792,  to  the  execution 
of  the  King,  in  January,  179,3, 

The  manner  in  which  they  spent  their  time  while 
there,  is  so  interesting,  that  it  is  believed  the  reader 
will  not  find  it  too  long. 

The  King  usually  rose  at  six,  shaved  himself,  and 
Clere  dressed  his  hair.  He  then  went  to  his  reading- 
room,  which  being  very  small,  the  Municipal  officer 
on  duty  remained  in  the  bed-room,  with  the  door  open, 
that  he  might  always  keep  the  King  in  sight.  Soon 
after  the  King  was  up,  he  read  prayers,  and  as  mass 
was  not  permitted,  he  requested  Clere  to  purchase  a 
breviary,  such  as  was  used  in  the  diocese  of  Paris. 

While  the  King  was  thus  engaged,  Clere,  after  put- 
ting his  chamber  in  order,  and  preparing  breakfast, 
wei.it  to  the  Queen,  who  never  opened  her  door  till  he 
arrived,  in  order  to  prevent  the  Municipal  officer  from 
going  into  her  apartment.  He  dressed  the  Prince, 
and  combed  the  Queen's  hair,  then  went  and  did  the 
same  for  Madame  Royale,  and  xMadame  Elizabeth. 
This  service  afforded  one  of  the  opportunities  Clere 
had  of  communicating  to   the  Queen  and  Princesses 

29 


338  MEMOIRS  OF 


whatever  he  heard ;  for  when  they  found  by  a  sign 
that  he  had  something  to  say,  one  of  them  kept  the 
officer  in  talk,  to  divert  his  attention. 

At  nine  o'clock,  the  King  and  his  son  were  summon- 
ed to  breakfast  :  Clere  attended  them-  By  the 
queen's  order,  he  taught  Madame  Royale  to  dress  hair; 
while  he  did  this,  the  King  generally  played  at  chess, 
sometimes  with  the  Queen,  sometimes  with  Madame 
Elizabeth. 

At  ten,  the  family  assembled  in  the  Queen's  cham- 
ber, and  there  passed  the  day.  The  Kin^  employed 
himself  in  educating  his  son.  The  Prince's  early 
quickness  of  apprehension  fully  repaid  the  fond  cares 
of  his  father.  Jn  the  meantime  the  Queen  instructed 
her  daughter.  These  lessons  lasted  till  eleven  o'- 
clock. The  remaining  hour  till  noon  was  passed  in 
needle-work,  knitting,  or  making  tapestry.  At  noon, 
they  retired  to  Madame  Elizabeth's  room,  to  change 
their  dress  ;  no  Municipal  officer  attending.  At  one, 
when  the  weather  was  fine,  they  were  conducted  to 
the  garden  by  four  officers,  and  a  detachment  of  the 
national  guard. 

At  two  they  returned  to  the  tower,  where  Clere  ser- 
ved dinner.  The  table  was  well  supplied,  less  from 
respect  to  the  King,  than  kindness  for  the  Commission- 
ers, who  made  daily  visits  to  the  temple  to  take  their 
meals.  At  dinnertime,  Santerre,  the  brewer,  com- 
mander in  chief  of  the  national  guards,  regularly  carne, 
attended  bv  two  ad  de  camps  ;  the  King  sometimes 
spoke  to  him  ;  the  Q  leen  never.  After  dinner,  the 
family  withdrew  to  the  Queen's  room  ;  the  Dauphin 
and  his  sister  went  into  the  ant i  chamber,  to  pla\  at 
battledore  and  shuttlecock,  or  some  other  game.  Ma- 
dame Elizabeth  was  always  with  them,  and  generally 
sat  with  a  book  in  her  hand. 

Clere  staved  with  them  also,  and  sometimes  read. 
This  dispersion  of  the  roval  family  often  perplexed  the 
municipal  otficers  on  guard,  who,  anxious  not  to  leave 


LA  FAYETTE.  339 


the  King  and  Queen  alone,  were  still  more  so  not  to 
leave  one  another,  so  great  was  their  distrust.  This 
was  the  time  Madame  Elizabeth  took  to  ask  Clere 
questions,  or  give  him  orders.  He  both  listened  to 
her,  and  answered,  without  taking  his  eyes  from  the 
book  in  his  hand,  that  he  might  not  be  surprised  by 
the  officer:..  The  Dauphin  and  his  sister,  instructed 
by  their  aunt,  facilitated  these  conversations,  by  being 
noisy  in  their  play,  and  made  signs  to  her  when  the 
officers  were  coming. 

In  the  evening,  the  family  sat  round  a  table,  while 
the  Queen  read  to  them  either  history  or  some  work 
proper  to  instruct  and  amuse  her  children.  Some- 
times she,  unexpectedly,  met  with  situations  similar  to 
their  own,  which  gave  rise  to  very  afflicting  reflec- 
tions. Madame  took  the  book  in  her  turn,  and  in  this 
manner  they  read  till  eight  o'clock.  Clere  then  gave 
the  Prince  his  supper,  during  which  time  the  King 
would  divert  the  children  by  making  them  guess  rid- 
dles in  a  collection  which  he  found  in  the  library. 

After  supper,  the  Queen  heard  the  Prince  say  his 
prayers ;  he  said  one  for  the  Princess  de  Lamballe, 
and  another  for  his  governess  ;  when  the  officers  were 
too  near,  the  Prince  of  his  own  accord  said  these  two 
prayers  in  a  low  voice.  Clere  then  put  him  to  bed,  and 
if  he  had  any  thing  to  communicate  to  the  queen5  he 
took  that  opportunity.  He  acquainted  her  with  the 
contents  of  the  journals.  When  they  were  no  longer 
permitted  in  the  tower,  a  newsman,  sent  on  purpose, 
used  to  come  every  night  at  seven  o'clock,  and,  stand- 
ing by  the  wall  near  the  temple  inclosure,  read  seve- 
ral times  over,  an  account  of  all  that  had  passed  in 
the  Convention,  at  the  commune,  and  the  armies. 
Clere,  placing  himself  in  the  King's  reading  room, 
listened,  and  with  the  advantage  of  perfect  silence, 
remembered  all  he  heard. 

At  nine,  the  King  went  to  supper,  while  the  Queen 
and  Madame  Elizabeth  took  it  in  turns  to  stay  by  the 


340  MEMOIRS  OF 


Dauphin ;  and  as  Clere  carried  them  whatever  they 
wanted  from  the  table,  it  afforded  another  opportanity 
of  speaking  without  witnesses. 

After  supper,  the  King  went  for  a  moment  into  the 
Queen's  chamber,  shook  hands  with  her  and  his  sister, 
kissed  his  daughter,  and  then  retired  to  the  turret- 
room,  where  he  read  till  midnight.  The  Queen  and 
Princesses  locked  themselves  in,  and  one  of  the  offi- 
cers remained  in  the  little  room  that  parted  their 
chambers,  where  he  passed  the  night ;  the  other  fol- 
lowed his  majesty. 

Before  the  confinement  of  the  royal  family  in  the 
tempie,  they  had  fresh  occasion  to  contemplate  an 
example  of  Parisian  ferocity  in  the  massacres  of  Sep- 
tember. Great  fears  were  entertained  for  their  safety, 
during  those  days,  but  the  commissioners  on  duty  suc- 
ceeded in  preventing  the  mob  from  executing  any  fe- 
rocious project  with  which  their  leaders  might  have 
inspired  them.  But  though  they  were  restrained  from 
violence,  they  committed  an  act  of  brutality,  from 
which  the  most  unenlightened  savage*  would  have  re- 
coiled with  horror.  The  head  of  the  Princess  de  Lam- 
balle,  carried  on  a  pike,  with  her  heart  above  it,  were 
paraded  before  the  windows  of  the  temple.  The 
queen  instantly  fainted  ;  both  she  and  her  sister 
were  taken  extremely  ill.  Two  commissioners  were 
with  the  king:  one  of  them  hearing  the  shouts,  and 
recognizing  the  head,  invited  him  to  see  a  curious 
sight.  The  king  was  advancing  to  the  window,  when 
the  other  commissioner  interposed,  saying,  the  sight 
was  too  shocking  ;  and  placing  his  hands  before  his 
eyes,  prevented  him  from  seeing  it.  The  king  rela- 
ted this  anecdote  to  M.  dc  Malesherbes,  who  request- 
ed to  know  the  names  of  the  commissioners.  He 
told  that  of  the  humane  man  without  hesitation,  but 
declined  mentioning  the  other,  alledging,  "  that  it 
could  do  him  no  credit  at  that  time,  and  might,  pos- 
sibly, at  some  future  period  bring  him  trouble." 


LA  FAYETTE.  341 


From  the  day  of  the  king's  imprisonment,  the  ne- 
cessity of  his  being  separated  from  the  queen  was  ve- 
hemently discussed  ;  but  when  the  trial  was  determin- 
ed, it  was  rigourously  enforced.  He  was  not  permit- 
ted to  see  the  journals,  in  order  that  he  might  not  be 
prepared  to  repel  the  accusations  that  were  to  be 
brought  against  him.  But  if  they  contained  abusive 
expressions  against  the  king  or  queen,  atrocious  threats 
or  infamous  calumnies,  some  officer  or  other  was  sure, 
with  studied  malice,  to  place  them  on  the  drawers  of 
his  majesty's  chamber,  that  they  might  fall  into  his 
hands.  Be  once  read  in  one  of  those  papers,  the 
petition  of  an  engineer  for  the  head  of  the  tyrant 
Louis  the  sixteenth,  that  he  might  load  his  piece  with 
it,  and  shoot  it  at  the  enemy.  In  another,  that  the 
two  young  wolves  in  the  temple  (meaning  the  king's 
children)  ought  to  be  smothered.  These  articles  af- 
fected the  king  only  for  the  sake  of  the  people. 
44  How  very  unfortunate  are  the  French,"  said  he, 
4t  to  be  imposed  on  in  this  manner."  If  Clere  saw 
these  journals  first,  he  took  care  to  remove  them,  but 
they  were  generally  placed  there  when  he  was  away, 
so  that  few  of  the  articles  published  to  injure  him,  es- 
caped his  knowledge. 

As  the  king's  trial  approached,  the  commune  and 
the  people  redoubled  their  ferocity,  and  continued  aug- 
menting it  till  the  hour  of  his  death.  The  municipal 
committee  made  frequent  reports  to  the  commune,  that 
there  was  a  plan  for  delivering  the  prisoners  from  the 
temple.  The  family  were  not  allowed  to  walk  out, 
or  come  near  any  of  the  windows,  or  to  talk  to  each 
other  respecting  their  situation  :  every  sign,  look,  or 
movement,  was  interpreted  to  their  disadvantage. 
The  most  ridiculous  precautions  were  taken  to  pre- 
vent their  having  any  communications  with  their 
friends.  A  draft- board  Clere  had  sent  to  be  mended 
was  taken  entirely  to  pieces  before  the  officers,  for 
fear  letters  were  concealed  in  it ;   stone  fruits  were 

29* 


342  MEMOIRS  OF 


cut,  and  the  kernels  broken  for  the  same  reason. 
Another  time,  they  compelled  Clere  to  drink  the  es- 
sence of  soap,  prepared  for  shaving  the  king,  on  pre- 
tence that  it  was  poison  which  his  majesty  had  pro- 
cured to  destroy  himself.  They  forbid  Clere  going 
up  to  dress  the  queen's  hair,  saying,  if  she  could  not 
do  it  herself,  she  must  bring  her  powder  and  combs, 
and  have  it  done  there.  They  would  follow  her  into 
her  chamber  when  she  went  to  change  her  dress ; 
Clere  represented  the  indecency  of  such  behaviour, 
but  they  persisted  and  she  was  obliged  to  give  up 
dressing. 

Notwithstanding  the  well  known  religion  of  the 
king,  orders  were  given  that  his  razors,  knives,  scissars, 
and  all  other  instruments  tranchant,  et piquant,  should 
be  removed.  The  king  was  affected  with  this  insult, 
and  indignantly  asked  the  commissioners,  "  Do 
you  think  me  such  a  coward  as  to  kill  myself?"  The 
queen  derided  the  minuteness  of  these  orders  ;  she 
said,  u  They  had  better  take  away  our  needles  also. 
At  another  time,  happening  to  raise  the  hand  in  which 
she  held  her  knife,  towards  her  bosom,  the  commis- 
sioner seemed  alarmed,  as  if  she  intended  to  destroy 
herself,  which  she  observing,  said,  "  No,  sir,  I  reserve 
that  hononr  to  the  French  nation." 

Even  the  jailors  increased  in  their  insolence.  One 
of  them  boasted,  that  when  he  saw  Elizabeth  coming, 
he  always  took  care  to  draw  as  much  smoke  from  his 
pipe  as  possible  into  his  mouth,  to  have  the  pleasure  of 
puffing  it  full  in  her  face.  One  of  them  wrote  in  large 
letters,  on  the  wall,  u  The  guillotine  is  permanent,  and 
ready  for  the  tyrant  Louis  the  Sixteenth." 

From  the  moment  the  king's  trial  was  agitated  in 
the  convention,  he  was  considered  as  condemned. 
This  was  instanced,  in  his  demand  for  some  classic  au- 
thors; this  occasioned  violent  debates  in  the  council- 
general.  Some  observed  his  life  would  not  be  long 
enough  to  read  them  ;  others,  that  he  could  not  under- 


LA  FAYETTE.  343 


stand  them.  Many  proposed,  that  the  Life  of  Crom- 
well, the  History  of  the  Massacre  of  bt.  Bartholomew, 
and  the  Revolution  in  England  and  America,  should 
be  substituted.  At  length,  the  debate  terminated,  and 
the  request  was  granted. 

The  party  in  the  legislature,  who  were  labouring  to 
procure  the  condemnation  of  Louis,  proceeded,  not  as 
if  the  ascertainment  of  his  guilt  was  necessary,  but  as 
if  the  only  business  of  the  convention  was  to  pronounce 
sentence  of  death.  The  tergiversations  and  duplicity 
of  those  who  had  dethroned  and  imprisoned  the  kmg, 
and  now  pretended  to  maintain  his  inviolability,  gave 
to  the  other  party  a  decided  advantage.  The  galle- 
ries were  so  regularly  trained,  and  so  much  swayed  by 
the  Mountain,*  that  the  speaker  was  secure  of  a  fa- 
vourable reception,  who  began  with  invectives  against 
the  king  or  queen.  Robespierre  headed  this  faction, 
and  exerted  himself  with  uncommon  zeal  to  bring  the 
convention  into  his  opinion.  He  made  no  scruple  in 
declaring  u  Louis  ought  to  have  had  sentence  pro- 
nounced on  him  as  a  tyrant,  condemned  by  the  insur- 
rection of  the  people ;  instead  of  which,  proceedings 
were  instituted  against  him,  as  in  the  case  of  an  accu- 
sed citizen,  whose  criminality  was  doubtful.  The  re- 
volution ought  to  have  been  cemented  by  his  death ; 
instead  of  which,  the  revolution  itself  was  rendered  a 
subject  of  litigation." 

Before  such  a  tribunal  Louis  was  to  appear!  He 
had  not  the  slightest  intimation  that  he  should  be  call- 
ed upon  to  answer  so  many  questions,  prepared  with 
the  most  studied  art,  applying  to  the  transactions  of 
many  years,  and  affecting  both  his  private  and  public 
character.  The  hope  of  those  who  arranged  this 
mode  of  proceeding,  was,  that  the  king's  natural  diffi- 

*  A  party  so  called,  because  they  occupied  the  highest 
seats  in  the  Hall.  They  were  opposed  to  the  Gironde  par- 
ty, but  all  were  jacobins. 


344  MEMOIRS  OF 


dcnce,  his  reserve  in  expressing  himself,  increased  by 
the  suddenness  and  importance  of  the  occasion,  would, 
by  disconcerting,  render  him  more  liable  to  inconsist- 
ency. 

On  the  day  fixed  for  his  appearance  at  the  conven- 
tion, the  greatest  epoch  in  his  eventful  life,  he  con- 
ducted himself  in  a  manner  so  highly  honourable  to 
his  character,  as  to  merit  a  minute  detail.  He  rose, 
and  passed  his  first  hours  as  usual.  At  eight  o'clock, 
he  was  surprised  by  the  beat  of  drums.  He  could  re- 
ceive no  other  answer  to  his  interrogatories  respecting 
this  unusual  sound,  but,  "  I  know  nothing  of  the  mat- 
ter." This  affected  ignorance  increased  the  king's 
anxiety;  he  had  long  expected  to  be  murdered,  and 
now  thought  the  day  was  come,  yet  he  did  not  lose  his 
wonted  courage  and  serenity.  At  nine,  he  went  to 
breakfast  with  his  family,  but  took  nothing.  An  ex- 
pressive silence  was  maintained.  All  appeared  to 
dread  an  event,  terrible  in  proportion  to  the  mystery 
in  which  they  were  enveloped.  After  breakfast,  the 
king  retired  with  his  son  ;  but  instead  of  giving  him 
the  usual  lessons,  he  sought  to  divert  himself  by  his  in? 
nocent  conversation. 

At  length,  the  commissioner  informed  the  king  he 
was  to  receive  a  visit  from  the  new  mayor  ;  "  and  I 
must  inform  you,"  (he  added)  "  that  he  cannot  speak 
to  you  in  presence  of  your  son."  The  king  immedi- 
ately pressing  the  child  to  his  bosom,  desired  him  to 
go  and  embrace  his  mother  in  his  name.  Bereft  of 
his  only  consolation,  the  king  fell  into  a  deep  reverie ; 
his  attention  was  so  totally  absorbed  that  the  commis- 
sioner passed  several  times  close  by  him,  and  at  length 
stood  behind  him.  He  was  in  this  situation  when  the 
king  recovered,  and  looking  suddenly  round,  the  im- 
pression that  he  should  be  murdered  was  so  strong  on 
his  mind,  that  on  seeing  the  commissions  claim- 

ed, "  Wuat  do  you  want,  sir  ?"     He  replied,  k*  Noth- 


LA  FAYETTE.  S45 


ing;  but  fearing  you  were  ill,  I  approached  to  know 
what  ailed  you." 

After  two  hours,  the  mayor  Chambon  arrived,  at- 
tended by  his  secretary,  who  read  aloud  these  words : 
il  Louis  Capet  shall  be  conducted  to  the  bar  of  the 
national  convention,  on  Tuesday  the  11th,  to  answer 
such  questions  as  shall  be  put  to  him  by  the  ptesi 
dent."  As  soon  as  these  words  were  pronounced,  the 
mayor  raised  his  voice,  and  summoned  the  king  to  fol- 
low ;  the  king  obeyed.  In  crossing  the  court,  nothing 
but  strange  objects  presented  themselves  to  his  eyes. 
The  uniform  of  the  guards  was  new,  and  no  counte- 
nance displayed  any  sign  of  commiseration.  Oppress- 
ed with  mournful  reflections,  he  cast  his  eyes  up  to 
the  window  of  the  apartment  that  contained  his  fam- 
ily ;  and  tenderness  drew  from  him  those  tears  which 
neither  cruelty  nor  insolence  could  ever  extort. 

His  unhappy  relatives  were  overwhelmed  with  ter- 
ror and  dismay.  The  commissioner  entered  their  a- 
partment,  and  told  the  Queen,  the  King  had  received 
a  visit  from  the  Mayor.  "  We  know  that  from  my 
son,"  she  answered,  "  but  now — oh !  where  have 
they  carried  the  king  now  ?"  "  To  the  Convention." 
"  You  would  have  saved  us  much  anguish  had  you 
told  us  so  before  ;" — a  melancholy  delineation  of  the 
state  of  their  minds,  when  such  information  could  af- 
ford relief. 

The  King  proceeded  in  Chambon's  coach.  By  or- 
der of  the  Commune,  extraordinary  measures  were 
taken  to  secure  a  passage  free  from  interruption. 
The  procession  began  with  three  field  pieces,  attend- 
ed by  two  ammunition  waggons,  and  escorted  by  a 
corps  of  fusileers  ;  forty-eight  horse  formed  the  avant 
guard  ;  six  hundred  foot,  armed  with  firelocks,  each 
of  them  supplied  with  sixteen  rounds  of  cartridges, 
formed  a  line  three  deep  on  each  side  of  the  coach. 
The  cavalry  from  the  Ecole  Mi litai re  formed  the  rear 
guard,  and  the  procession  was  closed  with  three  field- 


346  MEMOIRS  OF 


pieces,  attended  by  ammunition  waggons,  and  escort- 
ed like  the  van,  by  a  corps  of  fusi leers.  Troops  were 
posted  in  various  parts  of  the  capital  ;  patroles  para- 
ded the  streets,  and  all  the  national  guards  in  the  de- 
partment were  put  in  a  state  of  requisition.  During 
their  progress,  the  whole  party  maintained  an  inviola- 
ble silence. 

At  one  o'clock,  Santerre  appeared  in  the  Conven- 
tion, and  said,  "  Louis  Capet  is  arrived,  and  waits  the 
orders  of  the  Assembly." 

A  silence,  expressive  of  agitation,  for  some  time  pre* 
vailed  ;  even  those  who  were  so  tumultuous  in  the  gal- 
leries, who  disdained  order,  and  had  taken  their  scats 
at  six  in  the  morning,  for  the  purpose  of  serving  their 
employers  by  clamour  ;  even  they  were  silent.  Every 
eye  was  fixed  on  the  door  at  which  the  King  was  ex- 
pected to  enter.  He  came  ;  every  countenance  be- 
trayed emotion.  The  King,  though  obedient  to  cir- 
cumstances, and  incapable  of  a  mad  resistance  to  a 
force  wholly  disproportionate,  seemed  not  to  have 
forgot  the  claims  of  his  high  birth  and  exalted  charac- 
ter. He  appeared,  not  only  without  perturbation, 
but  with  dignity.  He  cast  his  eyes  round  the  hall, 
with  a  look  equally  remote  from  fear  or  contempt. 
On  him,  all  eyes  were  fixed.  His  features,  clouded 
by  misfortunes,  had  lost  none  of  their  majesty  :  even 
the  length  of  his  beard,  spread  over  his  countenance 
aq  appearance  inexpressibly  venerable,  and  which 
excited  at  once  respect  and  compassion.  He  seated 
himself  on  a  chair  provided  for  the  purpose. 

The  President,  Barrere,  then  informed  the  King, 
why  he  was  brought  there.  Mailhe  then  read  the  act 
of  accusation,  to  which  the  King  listened  attentively, 
but  testified  neither  surprise  nor  indignation.  With- 
out giving  him  a  copy  of  this  composition,  to  assist  his 
memory  by  a  cursory  perusal  ;  without  allowing  a 
moment  for  preparation  or  reflection,  Barrere  pressed 
the  trial  forward.     The  King  was  interrogated,  article 


LA  FAYETTE.  347 


by  article.*     The  question  sometimes  assumed  an  ex- 
traordinary latitude  ;    sometimes  were  distinguished 


Extract  of  the  proceedings  of  the  National  Convention,  on  the  1 1  th 
of  December  ,1192. 

*  Louis  came  to  the  bar  :  a  profound  silence  reigned  in 
the  assembly.     The  president  said  to  him, 

•■*  Louis,  the  people  of  France  accuse  you  ;  the  national 
convention  has  decreed  that  you  shall  be  tried,  and  that 
its  members  shall  be  your  judges.  You  shall  now  hear 
the  declaration  of  the  crimes  imputed  to  you.  Louis  sit 
down." 

The  King  seated  himself.  A  secretary  read  the  accu- 
sation, and  the  president  then  said, 

"  Louis,  you  are  to  answer  the  questions  I  am  commis- 
sioned by  the  national  convention  to  propose  to  you. — 
Louis,  you  are  accused  of  having  committed  a  multitude  of 
crimes  to  establish  your  tyranny  by  destroying  liberty. — 
On  the  20th  of  June,  1789,  you  committed  an  outrage 
against  the  sovereignty  of  the  people  by  suspending  the 
assemblies  of  its  representatives,  and  by  driving  them  vviih 
violence  from  their  place  of  meeting.  The  proof  of  this 
is  in  the  verbal  process,  drawn  up  in  the  Tennis  Court  at 
Versailles,  by  the  members  of  the  constituent  assembly. 
What  have  you  to  answer  ?" 

Louis.     **  I  acted  against  no  law  then  in  existence." 

President.  "  On  the  23d  of  June,  1789  you  attempted 
to  impose  laws  upon  the  nation  ;  you  surrounded  the  sit- 
ting of  the  constituent  assembly  with  tro*ps  ;  presented 
them  with  two  royal  declarations,  subversive  of  all  liberty, 
and  you  commanded  them  to  separate." 

To  this  the  King  gave  the  same  answer  as  to  the  prece- 
ding question. 

President.  You  ordered  an  army  to  march  against  the 
citizens  of  Paris  ;  their  blood  was  shed,  you  did  not  with- 
draw your  troops  till  the  Bastile  was  taken,  and  a  general 
insurrection  taught  you  that  the  people  were  victorious. — 
The  answers  you  returned  to  the  deputations  of  the  con- 
stituent assembly,  on  the  9th,  12th,  and  14th  of  July,  shew 


348  MEMOIRS  OF 


by  a  laborious  minuteness  \  they  sometimes  imputed 
to  the  King  the  most  flagrant  tyranny  ;  and  at  others, 

what  your  intentions  then  were  ;  and  the  massacre  at  the 
Tuilenes  also  deposes  against  you.  What  have  you  to 
answer. 

Louis.  I  had  at  that  time,  the  power  to  employ  my 
troops  where  I  thought  the  circumstances  required  ;  but 
I  never  had  any  intention  to  shed  blood. 

President.  After  these  events,  notwithstanding  the  pro- 
mise made  by  you  in  the  Assembly  on  the  16th,  and  in  the 
Hotel  de  Ville  on  the  17th,  you  persisted  in  your  projects 
against  national  liberty.  You  evaded  sanctioning  the  decrea 
0?  August  11th,  abolishing  persona)  servitude,  feudal  rights, 
and  titles  :  you  at  first  refused  to  acknowledge  the  decla- 
ration of  the  righis  of  man  ;  you  doubled  the  number  of 
your  body  guards,  and  ordered  the  regiment  of  Flinders 
to  Versailles  ;  during  the  festival  at  that  place,  you  per- 
mitted the  national  cockade  to  be  trampled  under  foot  be- 
fore your  face,  the  white  cockade  set  up,  and  the  nation  to 
be  blasphemed..  In  short  yon  rendered  a  new  insurrec- 
tion necessary,  and  occasioned  the  death  of  m<my  citizens. 
It  was  not  till  after  the  defeat  of  your  guards,  that  you 
changed  your  language,  and  renewed  your  perfidious  pro- 
mises. The  proofs  of  these  facts  are  in  your  own  obser- 
vations of  the  ltfth  September,  on  the  decree  of  the  10th 
August,  in  the  verbal  process  of  the  Constituent  Assembly 
on  the  events  which  took  place  at  Versailles  on  the  5th 
and  6th  of  October,  and  in  the  answer  you  returned  to  the 
Constituent  Assembly,  namely,  '  That  you  would  be  gui- 
ded by  their  counsel,  and  never  separate  yourself  from 
them.'     What  have  you  to  answer  ? 

Louis.  I  made  the  observations  which  occurred  to  me 
as  just  and  necessary  upon  the  decrees  presented  to  me. 
The  charge  respecting  the  cockade  is  false  ;  I  was  witness 
to  no  such  scene. 

President.  At  the  federation  of  the  14th  of  July,  1790, 
you  took  an  oath  which  you  did  not  adhere  to,  but  endea- 
voured on  the  contrary,  to  corrupt  the  public  mind  through 
the  agency  of  Talon  in  Paris,  and  the  influence  of  Mira- 


LA  FAYETTE.         .  349 


<he  most  cautious  hypocrisy.     The  King's  energy  aud 
presence  of  mind  showed   him   equally  prepared  to 


beau  in  the  provinces.  You  lavished  millions  to  corrupt 
;he  public  mind  ;  you  attempted  to  make  popularity  itself 
an  engine  against  the  people.  These  facts  are  evident 
from  a  memorial  of  Talon's,  verified  by  your  hand,  and  by 
a  letter  written  by  La  Porte  to  you  on  the  19th  of  April,  in 
which,  speaking  of  a  conversation  he  had  with  Rivarol,  he 
informs  you  that  the  sums  you  had  been  advised  to  distri- 
bute, had  produced  nothing. 

Louis.  I  do  not  exactly  remember  what  passed  at  that 
time  ;  but  all  these  are  circumstances  which  occurred  pre- 
viously to  my  accepting  the  constitution. 

President.  Was  it  not  in  consequence  of  a  plan  formed 
by  Talon,  that  you  went  to  the  FauxbourgSt  Antoine,  dis- 
tributed money  to  the  poor  workmen,  telling  them  that 
you  could  do  no  more  for  them  ? 

Louis.     I  had  no  greater  satisfaction  than  in  giving  to 
those  who  required  relief.     In  this  I  had  no  insidious  de 
sign. 

President.     Was  it  not  in  consequence  of  the  same  pro- 
ject that  you  feigned  an  indisposition  to  prepare  the  pub- 
lic mind  for  your  journey  to  St.  Cloud,  or  to  Rambouillet, 
upon  pretext  that  the  country  air  was  necessary  for  your 
health  ? 
Louis.     This  accusation  is  quite  absurd. 
President.     You  had  long  meditated  the  design  of  esca- 
ping.    A  plan  for  that  purpose   was  presented  to  you  on 
the  23d  of  February,   1791,  which  you  verified  by  your 
own  hand-writing  ;  and,  on  the  28th,  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  officers  and  nobles  assembled  in  the  palace  of  the 
Tuileries  in  order  to  favour  your  escape.     You  attempt 
ed  to  go  from  Paris  to  St.  Cloud,  on  the   11th  of  April  ; 
but  the  opposition  of  the  citizens  convinced  you,  that  your 
design  was  suspected  by  the  public.     You  eadeavoured  to 
dissipate  this  distrust  by  communicating  to  the  assembly 
the  letter  in  which  you  make  a  declaration  to  foreign  pow- 
ers, that  you  had  freely  accepted  the  constitution.     Not- 
witbstaading  this,  you  made  your  escape  by  means  of  a 
30 


350  *  MEMOIRS  OF 


maintain  his  own  innocence,  and  vindicate  the  dignify 
of  his  character.     He  answered  with  the  utmost  frank 

false  passport,  on  the  21st  of  the  month  of  June  following, 
leaving  behind  yon  a  declaration  against  this  very  consti- 
tution. You  ordered  the  ministers  not  to  sign  any  act* 
which  came  from  the  national  assembly  ;  and  you  prohib- 
ited the  minister  of  justice  from  sealing  them  with  the  sea! 
of  the  state  ;  the  public  money  was  lavished  to  ensure  the 
success  of  this  treason  ;  and  you  ordered  Bouille  to  assist 
you  wi.h  an  armed  force  ;  that  same  officer  who  command- 
ed at  the  massacres  of  Nantz,  to  whom  you  wrote  on  that 
occasion,  '  endeavour  to  preserve  your  popularity,  it  may 
be  useful.*  These  facts  are  founded  on  the  memorial  of 
the  23d  of  February,  verified  by  your  own  hand  ;  and  on 
the  declaration  of  the  20th  of  June,  entirely  in  your  own 
hand-writing  ;  on  your  letter  of  the  4th  of  September. 
1790,  to  Bouille  ;  and  on  a  note  from  him,  giving  you  an 
account  of  the  employment  of  993,000  livres  which  you 
had  given  him,  and  which  he  had  partly  expended  in  cor- 
rupting the  troops  that  were  to  escort  you.  What  have 
you  to  answer  ? 

Louis.  I  know  nothing  of  the  memorial  of  the  23d  of 
February.  With  respect  to  my  journey  to  Varennes,  I 
refer  to  the  answer  I  at  that  time  made  to  the  constituent 
assembly. 

President.  After  you  were  stopped  at  Varennes,  your 
executive  power  was  for  some  time  suspended,  but  you 
still  conspired  ;  and  on  the  17th  of  July,  the  blood  of  the 
citizens  was  shed  in  the  Champ  de  Mars.  A  letter  in  your 
own  hand  addressed  to  La  Fayette,  1790,  proves  that  a 
criminal  coalition  existed  between  you  and  him,  to  which 
Mirabeau  had  also  agreed.  All  kinds  of  corruption  were 
employed  by  yon.  You  paid  the  expense  of  publishing 
libels,  pamphlets,  and  journals,  which  tended  to  pervert 
the  public  opinion,  to  discredit  assignats,  and  to  support 
the  cause  of  the  emigrants.  The  registers  of  Septueil 
state  what  enormous  sums  were  expended  for  these  profli- 
gate purposes.  You  affected  to  accept  the  constitution  of 
the  14th  of  September,  you  declared  yourself  willing  to 


LA  FAYETTE.  35  [ 


iless,  precision,  and  promptitude.  He  never  lost  his 
composure,  except  when  the  President  accused  him 

maintain  it,  yet  you  laboured  to  overthrow  it  before  it  was 
completed.     What  have  you  to  answer  ? 

Louis.  What  passed  on  the  17th  of  July  cannot  be  just- 
ly attributed  to  me.  As  to  the  other  charges  I  have  no 
knowledge  of  them. 

President.  A  convention  took  place  at  Pilnitz,  on  the 
24th  of  July,  between  Leopold  of  Austria,  and  Frederick 
William  of  Brandenburg,  for  the  purpose  of  re-establishing 
absolute  monarchy  in  France,  with  which  you  were  ac- 
quainted, yet  you  concealed  it  from  the  national  assembly 
until  it  was  known  to  all  Europe.  What  have  you  to  an- 
swer ? 

Louis.  I  made  it  known  as  soon  as  I  knew  it  myself; 
besides,  by  the  constitution,  it  was  the  business  of  the 
ministers. 

President.  Aries  raised  the  standard  of  revolt  ;  you  fa- 
voured it  by  sending  commissioners,  who,  in  place  of  en- 
deavouring to  check  the  counter-revolutionists,  encoura- 
ged them  by  justifying  their  attempt.  What  do  you  an- 
swer ? 

Louis.  The  commissioners'  instructions  will  evince  the 
nature  of  the  orders  with  which  they  were  entrusted.  I 
knew  none  of  the  commissioners  when  my  ministers  pro- 
posed them  to  me. 

President.  Aviguon  and  Venaissin  had  been  reunited 
to  France  ;  but  you  did  not  execute  the  decree  till  a 
month  after  ;  during  that  interval,  a  civil  war  desolated 
the  country,  and  the  commissioners  you  sent  completed 
the  devastation.     What  have  you  to  answer  ? 

Louis.  That  charge  cannot  personally  affect  me.  I 
know  not  what  delay  attended  the  execution  of  the  decree  ; 
but  those  who  were  entrusted  with  it,  are  alone  respon- 
sible. 

President.  Nismes,  Montaubun,  Mendes,  and  Jales, 
experienced  violent  commotions  in  the  commencement  of 
liberty.  You  did  dothing  to  extinguish  these  sparks  of 
counter-revolution,  till  the  moment  when  the  conspiracy 
of  Saillan9  broke  out.     What  do  you  answer  ? 


352  MEMOIRS  OF 


of  having  distributed  money  to  the  poor  labourers  of 
the  Fauxbourg  St.  Antoine,  for  the  purpose  of  acqui 

Louis.  I  gave  the  orders  upon  that  occasion,  which 
were  proposed  to  me  by  my  minister. 

President.  You  sent  two  battalions  against  the  Mar- 
seillois,  who  were  marching  to  reduce  the  counter-revolu- 
tionists of  Aries.     What  have  you  to  answer  ? 

Louis.  I  must  see  the  papers  with  regard  to  this  affair 
before  I  can  answer  to  the  charge. 

President.  You  gave  the  command  of  the  South  tc 
Weigtenstein,  who  wrote  you  on  the  21st  of  April,  after 
he  had  been  recalled,  in  these  terms  :  '  A  few  moment* 
longer,  and  I  should  have  surrounded  your  Majesty'* 
throne  with  millions  of  Frenchmen,  rendered  once  more 
worthy  of  the  wishes  you  form  for  their  happiness.' — 
What  have  you  to  answer  ? 

Louis.  This  letter,  by  the  statement  of  the  charge,  is 
posterior  to  his  recall.  He  has  never  been  employed 
since.     1  recollect  nothing  of  the  letter. 

President.      You  paid   your  disbanded   body-guard  at 
Coblentz,  as  the  registers  of  Septueil  testify  ;  and  various 
orders,  signed  by  you,  confirm  your  having  remitted  con 
siderable  sums  to  Bouille,  la  Vauguyon,  Choiseul-Beau 
pre,  d'Hamilton,  and  the  woman  Polignac. 

Louis.     I  no  sooner  received  intelligence  that  my  body 
guards  had  assembled  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Rhine, 
than  I  ordered  their  pay  to  be  stopped,     i  remember  no- 
thing respecting  the  rest. 

President.  Your  brothers,  enemies  of  the  state,  have 
called  emigrants  around  their  standard  ;  they  have  raised 
regiments,  borrowed  money,  and  contracted  alliances  in 
your  name  ;  you  did  not  disavow  them  till  you  were  well 
assured  that  you  could  not  injure  their  plans.  Your  cor- 
respondence with  them  is  proved  by  a  note  in  the  hand- 
tvriting  of  Louis  Stanislaus  Xavier,  signed  by  both  your 
brothers,  as  follows  : 

«*  I  have  written  to  you,  but  it  was  not  by  the  post,  so  1 
could  say  nothing.  We  arc  here  two,  but  in  mind  only 
one  ;  the  same  principles,  the  same  sentimelts,  the  same 


LA  FAYETTE.  353 


ring  popularity,  and  enslaving  the  nation.  The  per* 
version  of  his  benevolence  into  a  crime,  shocked  the 

ardour  to  serve  you  animates  us  both.  We  still  keep  si- 
lence ;  we  should  injure  you  by  breaking  it  too  soon,  but 
shall  speak  out  when  assured  of  general  support,  and  that 
moment  is  near.  If  they  speak  to  us  on  the  part  of  those 
people,  we  will  listen,  but  never  alter  our  course  ;  if  there- 
fore, they  should  exact  that  you  make  some  declaration  to 
us,  make  it  without  hesitation  ;  be  easy  with  regard  to  your 
safety  ;  we  only  exist  to  serve  you  :  we  shall  ardently  ex- 
ert ourselves  for  that  purpose,  and  every  thing  will  go 
well.  Even  your  enemies  have  too  much  interest  in  your 
preservation  to  commit  an  useless  crime  which  would  com- 
plete their  ruin.     Adieu. 

L.  S.  XAVIER,  et 
CHARLES  PHILL1PPE.'*5 

What  have  you  to  answer  ? 

Louis.  As  soon  as  I  heard  of  my  brothers'  proceedings, 
I  disavowed  them  as  the  constitution  prescribes.  I  have 
none  of  their  letters. 

President.  The  troops  of  the  line,  who  ought  to  have 
been  kept  up  to  the  war  establishment,  amounted  only  to 
one  hundred  thousand  men  at  the  end  of  December  ;  you 
had  thus  neglected  to  guard  the  safety  of  the  nation.  Nar- 
bonne,  your  agent,  had  required  that  fifty  thousand  addi- 
tional troops  should  be  raised  ;  but  he  stopped  the  levies 
at  twenty-six  thousand,  declaring  that  every  necessary  pro- 
vision for  national  defence  was  made ;  yet  nothing  was 
prepared.  Servan  proposed  to  form  a  camp^  of  twenty 
thousand  men  near  Paris  ;  the  Legislative  Assembly  de* 
creed  this,  but  you  refused  to  give  your  sanction  to  the 
decree.  A  patriotic  emotion  prompted  many  citizens,  in 
the  most  distant  provinces,  to  march  to  Paris  :  you  issued 
a  proclamation,  the  tendency  of  which  was  to  stop  their 
march  :  meanwhile  our  armies  were  deficient  in  soldiers  ; 
Dumouriez,  who  succeeded,  declared  that  the  nation  was 
not  sufficiently  provided  in  arms,  ammunition,  or  subsist- 
ence for  the  troops  ;  and  that  the  frontier  towns  were  net 
in  a  state  of  defence.  What  have  you  to  answer  ? 
35* 


354  MEMOIRS  OF 


monarch  ; — he  shed  tears.     A  consciousness  of  his  in- 
tegrity, however,  soon  restored   his   calmness  ;  and 

Louis.  I  gave  to  the  minister  the  orders  necessary  for 
the  augmentation  of  the  army  ;  the  statements  were  laid 
before  the  assembly  ;  if  there  were  errors  in  them,  it  was 
no  fault  of  mine. 

President.  You  gave  directions  to  the  commanders 
of  the  troops  to  relax  the  discipline  of  the  army,  to  ex- 
cite whole  regiments  to  desert,  and  to  pass  the  Rhine  in 
order  to  join  your  brothers,  and  Leopold  of  Austria. 
This  fact  is  proved  by  a  letter  of  Toulongeon's,  comman 
der  in  Franche  Comte.     What  have  you  to  answer  ? 

Louis.     There  is  not  a  word  of  truth  in  this  accusation. 

President.  You  commissioned  your  diplomatic  agents 
to  encourage  a  coalition  between  your  brothers  and  foreign 
powers  against  France,  particularly  to  strengthen  the 
peace  between  Turkey  and  Austria  ;  that  the  latter  by 
withdrawing  her  troops  from  the  Turkish  frontiers,  might 
be  enabled  to  direct  a  greater  force  against  France,  as  k 
proved  by  a  letter  from  Choiseul.Gouffier,  ambassador  of 
Constantinople.     What  have  you  to  answer  ? 

Louis.  M.  Choiseul  has  not  spoken  the  truth  ;  there 
is  no  foundation  for  such  an  idea. 

President.  "  You  neglected  to  provide  for  the  safety 
of  the  nation  at  a  most  dangerous  crisis  ;  you  delayed  till 
the  legislative  assembly  required  of  the  minister  Legard 
to  point  out  the  means  of  defence,  and  then,  but  no  soon- 
er, you  sent  a  message  to  the  assembly,  proposing  a  levy 
of  forty -two  battalions.  The  Prussians  were  advancing 
to  our  frontiers  ;  your  minister  was  ordered  on  the  8th 
of  July,  to  give  an  account  of  our  actual  situation  with 
regard  to  Prussia  ;  you  answered  on  the  10th,  that  fifty 
thousand  Prussians  were  on  their  march  against  us,  and 
that  you  gave  that  information  to  the  assembly,  as  directed 
by  the  constitution.     What  have  you  to  answer  ?" 

Louis.     I   had  no  knowledge  of  the  fact  until  the  10th  ; 
all  diplomatic  correspondence  was  carried  on  by  the  min- 
ister*. 
President.      You   placed  Dabancourt,  the  nephew  of 


LA  FAYETTE.  355 


his  reply  was  a  triumphant  refutation  : — "  I  knew  no 
pleasure  equal  to  the  power  of  relieving  those  who 

Calonne,  at  the  head  of  the  war  department  ;  and  such 
was  the  success  of  your  treachery,  that  Longwy  and  Ver- 
dun were  delivered  up  as  soon  as  the  enemy  appeared 
before  them. 

Louis.  I  did  not  know  that  M.  Dabancourt  was  the 
nephew  of  Calonne  ;  it  was  not  I  who  dismantled  these 
towns  ;  1  never  would  have  authorized  it. 

President.     Who  dismantled  Longwy  and  Verdun  ? 

Louis.     If  such  was  their  situation,  I  knew  nothing  of  it. 

President.  You  have  destroyed  our  navy;  so  many 
of  its  officers  emigrated,  that  there  nardly  remains  a  suf- 
ficient number  for  the  service  ;  nevertheless,  Bertrand 
continued  to  grant  passports,  and  when  the  legislative  bo- 
dy presented  to  you,  on  the  8th  of  March,  his  criminal 
conduct,  you  answered  that  you  were  satisfied  with  his 
services. 

Louis.  I  did  every  thing  in  my  power  to  retain  the 
officers  in  the  service.  The  national  assembly  produced 
no  charge  that  appeared  to  me  of  a  criminal  nature  a- 
gainst  Bertrand,  therefore  I  did  not  think  it  just  to  dismiss 
him. 

President.  You  countenanced  absolute  government  in 
the  colonies  ;  your  agents  fomented  disturbances,  and 
the  counter-revolution  there,  at  the  same  time  that  it  was 
to  have  taken  place  in  France. 

Louis.  If  any  persons  called  themselves  my  agents  in 
the  colonies,  they  did  it  without  authority  from  me.  I 
gave  no  countenance  for  any  thing  of  the  nature  you  men- 
tion. 

President.  The  national  tranquillity  was  disturbed  by 
fanatics  ;  you  shewed  yourself  their  protector,  and  mani- 
fested an  evident  intention  of  recovering  your  former 
power  by  their  means.     What  do  you  answer  ? 

Louis.  I  have  no  answer  to  make  to  this  charge.  1 
had  no  knowledge  of  any  such  design. 

President.  The  legislative  body,  on  the  29th  of  No- 
vember, passed  a  decree  against  seditious  priests,  but  you 


366  MEMOIRS  OF 


were  in  want :  there  was  nothing  in  that  which  indi- 
cated a  plot."     To  the  interrogatory  accusing  him  of 

suspended  the  execution   of  it.     What  have  you   to  an 
swer  ? 

Louis.  The  constitution  allowed  me  the  free  power 
of  sanctioning  or  rejecting  decrees. 

President.  Disturbances  increased  ;  the  minister  de- 
clared, that  he  knew  no  existing  laws  by  which  the  guilty 
could  be  punished.  The  legislative  body  passed  a  new 
decree  ;  you  suspended  the  execution  of  that  also. 

Louis.     The  same  reply. 

President.  The  bad  conduct  of  those  guards  which 
the  constitution  had  given  to  you,  was  such,  that  the  as- 
sembly was  under  the  necessity  of  decreeing,  that  they 
should  be  disbanded  ;  the  day  after,  you  wrote  a  letter 
to  the  assembly,  declaring  your  satisfaction,  and  you  con- 
tinued to  pay  them  as  is  proved  by  the  accounts  of  the 
treasurer  of  the  civil  list. 

Louis.  I  only  continued  their  pay  until  they  should 
be  re-established  according  as  the  decree  required. 

President.  You  retained  your  Swiss  guards  about  your 
person  in  contradiction  to  the  constitution,  and  after  the 
legislative  assembly  had  ordered  their  departure.  What 
do  you  answer  ? 

Louis.     I  conformed  to  the  decree  on  that  subject. 

President.  You  authorized  d'Augremont  and  Gilles 
secretly  to  maintain  private  companies  in  Paris,  for  the 
purpose  of  exciting  commotions  favourable  to  your  plans 
of  counter-revolution.  The  receipts  of  Gilles  who  was 
ordered  to  organize  a  company  of  sixty  men,  will  be  pre- 
sented to  you.     What  have  you  to  answer  ? 

Louis.  I  am  quite  ignorant  of  those  schemes  attributed 
tome.  The  idea  of  a  counter-revolution  never  entered 
my  head. 

President.  You  endeavoured  by  considerable  sums  to 
bribe  several  members  of  the  constituent  and  legislative 
assemblies.  The  fact  is  proved  by  letters  from  Dufresne, 
Saint  Leon,  and  many  others  which  will  be  produced. 

Louis.  Such  plans  were  frequently  presented  to  flie. 
but  I  rejected  them. 


LA  FAYETTE.  357 


having  caused  blood  to  be  shed  on  the  10th  of  August, 
he  replied,  with   marked  emphasis,  "  No,  sir,  it  wa- 


President.  Who  were  the  members  of  the  constituent 
and  legislative  assemblies  whom  you  corrupted  ? 

Louis.     I  never  sought  to  corrupt  any.     I  know  of  none. 

President.  Who  were  the  persons  that  presented  plans 
to  you  ? 

Louis.  The  plans  were  so  absurd,  that  I  don't  re 
collect. 

President.     To  whom  did  you  promise  money  ? 

Louis.     To  none. 

President.     You  suffered  the  French  nation   to  be    de- 
graded in  Germany,  Italy,  and  Spain,  by   not  exacting  re 
paration  for  the  insults    offered   to   the  French    in   these 
countries.     What  have  you  to  answer  ? 

Louis.  The  diplomatic  correspondence  proves  the 
contrary.  At  any  rate  that  was  the  business  of  the  min- 
isters. 

President.  On  the  10th  of  August,  you  reviewed  the 
Swiss  guards  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  they  fired 
first  on  the  citizens.     What  have  you  to  answer  ? 

Louis.  I  that  day  reviewed  all  the  troops  that  were  as- 
sembled near  me.  The  constituted  authorities,  the  mayor 
of  Paris,  kc.  were  present.  I  had  even  requested  a  de- 
putation might  be  sent  me  from  the  national  assembly,  that 
they  might  advise  me  how  I  should  act  in  that  emergency  : 
and  I  afterwards  took  refuge  in  the  assembly,  with  my  fa- 
mily. 

President.  Why  did  you  cause  the  Swiss  guards  to  be 
doubled,  in  the  beginning  of  August  9 

Louis.  All  the  constituted  authorities  knew  that  the 
palace  was  to  he  attacked.  As  I  was  one  of  the  constitu- 
ted authorities,   (  had  a  right  to  defend  myself. 

President.  Why  did  you  send  for  the  mayor  of  Paris  on 
the  evening  of  the  9th  of  August  ? 

Louts.     Because  of  the  rumours  which  were  spread. 

President.  You  caused  the  blood  of  Frenchmen  to  be 
<hed. 

L  ?'         No,  Sir.  it  was  not  I. 


358  MEMOIRS  OF 


not  I."     When  the  questions  were  ended,  (he  Presi- 
dent said,  ';  Louis,  have  you  any  thing  more  to  add  ?" 

President.  Did  not  you  authorize  Septueil  to  under- 
take a  commercial  speculation  in  grain,  sugar,  and  coffee, 
at  Hamburgh,  and  in  other  towns?  This  is  proved  by 
SeptueiPs  own  letters. 

Louis.     1  know  nothing  about  what  you  mention. 

President.  Why  did  you  put  a  veto  on  the  decree, 
ordering  a  camp  to  be  formed  round  Paris  ? 

Louis.  The  constitution  gave  me  full  powers  to  sanc- 
tion decrees  or  not.  At  that  time,  I  ordered  a  camp  near- 
er the  frontiers  at  Soissons. 

President.  Louis,  have  you  any  thing  to  add  in  your 
defence  ? 

Louis.  I  demand  a  copy  of  the  act  of  accusation,  and 
that  I  may  be  allowed  counsel  to  conduct  my  cause. 

Valaze,  who  sat  near  the  bar,  presented  and  read  to 
Louis  Capet  the  pieces,  viz.  The  memoir  of  Laporte 
andMirabeau,  and  some  others,  containing  plans  ofacoun- 
ter- revolution. 

Louis.     I  disown  them. 

Valaze  next  presented  several  other  papers,  on  which 
the  act  of  accusation  was  founded,  and  asked  the  King  if 
he  recognized  them.—  These  papers  were  the  following  : 

Valaze.  Letter  of  Louis  Capet,  dated  June  29,  1790, 
settling  his  connections  with  Mirabeau  and  La  Fayette,  to 
effect  a  revolution  in  the  constitution. 

Louis.  I  reserve  to  myself  to  answer  the  contents. 
(Valaze  read  the  letter) — It  is  only  a  plan,  in  which  there 
is  no  question  about  a  counter-revolution  ;  the  letter  was 
not  to  have  been  sent. 

Valaze.  Letter  of  Louis  Capet  ot  the  22d  of  April, 
relative  to  conversations  about  the  jacobins,  about  the 
president  of  the  committee  of  finances,  and  the  committee 
of  domains  ;  it  is  dated  by  the  hand  of  Louis  Capet. 

Louis.     I  disown  it. 

Valaze.  Letter  of  Laporte,  of  Thursday  morning, 
March  3,  marked  in  the  margin,  in  the  hand- writing  of 
Louis  Capet,  with  March  3,  1791,  implying  a  pretended 
rupture  between  Mirabeau  and  the  jacobins. 


LA  FAYETTE  359 


•  I  demand,"  said  the  King,  a  copy  of  the  act  of  ac- 
cusation, and  the   communication  of  the  papers  on 

Louis.     I  disown  it. 

Valaze.  Letter  of  Laporte  without  date,  in  his  hand- 
writing, but  marked  in  the  margin  by  the  hand  of  Louis 
Capet,  containing  particulars  respecting  the  last  moments 
of  Mirabeau,  and  expressing  the  care  that  had  been  taken 
to  conceal  from  the  knowledge  of  men,  some  papers  of 
great  concern  which  had  been  deposited  with  Mirabeau, 

Louis.     I  disown  it  as  well  as  the  rest. 

Valaze.  Flan  of  a  constitution,  or  revision  of  the  con- 
stitution, signed  La  Fayette,  addressed  to  Louis  Capet, 
April  6,  1790,  marked  in  the  margin  with  a  line  in  his 
own  hand- writing. 

Louis.  These  things  have  been  blotted  out  by  the  con- 
stitution. 

Valaze.     Do  you  know  this  writing  ? 

Louis.     I  do  not. 

Valaze.     Your  marginal  comments  ? 

Louis.     I  do  not. 

Valaze.  Letter  of  Laporte,  of  the  19th  of  April, 
marked  in  the  margin  by  Louis  Capet,  April  19,  1791, 
mentioning  a  conversation  with  Rivarol. 

Louis.     I  disown  it. 

Valaze.  Letter  ot  Laporte,  marked  April  16,  1791, 
in  which  it  seems  complaints  are  made  of  Mirabeau,  the 
Abbe  Perigord,  Andre,  and  Beautmetz,  who  do  not  seem 
to  acknowledge  sacrifices  made  for  their  sake. 

Louis.     I  disown  it  likewise. 

Valaze.  Letter  of  Laporte  of  the  23d  of  February, 
1791,  marked  and  dated  in  the  hand-writing  of  Louis  Ca- 
pet;  a  memorial  annexed  to  it  respecting  the  means  of 
his  gaining  popularity. 

Louis.     I  know  neither  of  these  pieces. 

Valaze.  Several  pieces  without  signature,  found  in 
the  castle  of  the  Tuileries,  in  the  gap  which  was  shut 
in  the  walls  of  the  palace,  relating  to  the  expenses  to  gain 
that  popularity. 

President.     Previous  to  an  examination  on  this  subject, 


360  MEMOIRS  OF 


which  it  is  founded,  and  that  I  may  have  counsel  to 
manage  my  defence." 

I  wish  to  ask  a  preliminary  question  : — Have  you  caused 
a  press  with  an  iron  door  to  be  constructed  in  the  castle 
of  the  Tuileries,  and  had  you  your  papers  locked  up 
in  that  prees  ? 

Louis.     I  have  no  knowledge  of  it  whatever. 

Valaze.  Here  is  a  day-book  written  by  Louis  Capet 
himself,  containing  the  pensions  he  has  granted  out  of  his 
coiferfrom  1776  till  1792,  in  which  are  observed  some 
douceurs  granted  to  Acloque. 

Louis.  This  I  own,  but  it  consists  of  charitable  dona- 
tions which  I  have  made. 

Valaze.  Different  lists  of  sums  paid  to  the  Scotch  com- 
panies of  Noailles,  Gramont,  Montmorency,  and  Luxem- 
burghonthe  9th  of  July,  1791. 

Louis.  This  is  prior  to  the  epoch  when  I  forbade  them 
to  be  paid. 

President.  Louis,  where  had  you  deposited  those 
pieces  which  you  own  ? 

Louis.     With  my  treasurer. 

Valaze.  Do  you  know  these  pension  lists  of  the  life 
guards,  the  one  hundred  Swiss,  and  the  King's  guards  for 
1792  ? 

Louis.     I  do  not. 

Valaze.  Several  pieces  relative  to  the  conspiracy  o 
the  camp  of  Jales,  the  originals  of  which  are  deposited 
among  the  records  of  the  department  of  L'Ardeche. 

Louis.     I  have  not  the  smallest  knowledge  of  them. 

Valaze.  Letter  of  Bouille,  dated  Mentz,  bearing  an 
account  of  993,000  livres  received  of  Louis  Capet. 

Louis.     I  disown  it. 

Valaze.  An  order  for  payment  of  168,000  livres,  sign- 
ed Louis,  endorsed  Le  Bonneirs,  with  a  letter  and  billet 
of  the  same. 

Louis.     I  disown  it. 

Valaze.  Two  pieces  relative  to  a  present  made  to  the 
wife  of  Polignac,  and  to  Lavauguyon  and  Choiseul. 

Louis.     I  disown  them  as  well  as  the  others. 


LA  FAYETTE.  301 


Valaze  then  took  his  place  near  the  King,  with  the 
papers,  and  reading  the  title  put  on  each  by  the  com- 
mittee, presented  them  one  by  one  to  the  King,  and 
asked,  if  he  avowed  it.  From  so  momentary  an  in- 
spection of  so  many  papers,  some  pretended  to  be 
written  by  himself,  some  in  the  writing  of  others,  and 
some  printed,  it  might  be  supposed,  some  misappre- 
hensions would  have    ensued.     The  King,  however, 

Valaze/  Here  is  a  note  signed  by  the  two  brothers  of 
the  late  King,  mentioned  in  the  declaratory  act. 

Louis.     I  know   nothing  of  it. 

Valaze.  Here  are  pieces  relating  to  the  affair  of  Choi- 
seul  Gouffier,  at  Constantinople. 

Louis.     I  have  no  knowledge  of  them. 

Valaze.  Here  is  a  letter  of  the  late  King  to  the  bishop 
of  Clermont,  with  the  answer  of  the  latter,  of  the  16th 
of  April,  1791. 

Louis.     1  disown  it. 

President.  Do  you  not  acknowledge  your  writing  and 
your  signet  ? 

Louis.     I  do  not. 

President.     The  seal  bears  the  arms  of  France. 

Louis.     Several  persons  made  use  of  that  seal. 

Valaze.  Do  you  acknowledge  this  list  of  sums  paid  to 
Gilles  ? 

Louis.     I  do  not. 

Valaze.  Here  is  a  memorandum  for  indemnifying  the. 
rivil  list  for  th  e  military  pensions  ;  a  letter  of  Dufresne 
St.  Leon,  which  relates  to  it. 

Louis.     I  know  none  of  these  pieces. 

The  President  then  addressing  the  King,  said  :  — 

I  have  no  other  question  to  propose,  have  you  any  thing 
more  to  add  in  your  defence  ? 

Louis.  I  wish  to  have  a  copy  of  the  accusation,  Rnd  of 
the  papers  on  which  it  is  founded.  I  also  wish  to  have 
counsel  of  my  own  nomination. 

President.     Your   two   first  requests  are  already  de- 
creed, and  the  determination   respecting  the   other   will 
be  made  known  in  due  time. 
31 


362  ;  MEMOIRS  OF 


answered  without  hesitation,  and  disavowed  the  great- 
er part.  The  examination  being  completed,  he  was 
informed  he  might  retire. 

The  dignified  resignation  of  his  manner,  the  admi- 
rable candour  of  his  answers,  made  such  an  impression 
on  the  audience,  that  an  enemy  of  loyalty,  who  was 
present,  declared  he  was  afraid  of  hearing  the  cry  of 
•'  Vive  le  Roi !"  issue  from  the  tribunes  ;  and  added, 
he  was  convinced,  had  the  King  remained  ten  minutes 
longer,  it  would  have  happened.  When  he  spoke  of 
his  happiness  in  relieving  the  people,  a  woman  in  the 
gallery,  who  had  come  to  execrate  him,  sobbed  out 
*  Oh  !  my  God  !  how  he  makes  me  cry." 

It  was  six  in  the  evening  when  the  king  retired  from 
the  convention  into  the  chamhre  des  conferences.  The 
fatigue  of  his  examination,  the  agitation  of  his  mind, 
and  the  length  of  his  fast,  then  overcame  him.  "  Give 
me  a  bit  of  bread,"  said  the  fainting  monarch,  "  for 
I  have  eaten  nothing  all  day."  The  comparison  be- 
tween his  condition  at  that  moment,  and  at  former 
periods,  was  so  affecting  : — 

11  That  had  not  God,  for  some  strong  purpose,  steePd 
The  hearts  of  men,  they  must  perforce  have  melted, 
And  barbarism  itself  have  pitied  him." 

The  king  was  carried  back  to  the  Temple  in  the 
same  coach,  and  with  the  same  attendants.  Some  of 
the  mob  exclaimed,  "  Vive  la  republique !"  others, 
"  a  la  guillotine  !"  On  the  way,  Louis  asked  Chau- 
mette,  if  he  thought  counsel  would  be  allowed  him. 
The  brutal  procureuer  syndic  answered,  "  It  is  my  du- 
ty to  conduct  you  to  and  from  the  assembly,  and  not 
to  answer  your  questions." 

Louis  was  then  entirely  separated  from  his  family, 
nor  could  his  or  their  entreaties  procure  him  the  con- 
solation of  even  seeing  his  son. 

When  the  king  left  the  convention,  a  violent  debate 
took  place  respecting  his  demands  ;  at  length  it  was 


LA  FAYETTE.  363 


decided  that  counsel  should  be  allowed,  without  lim- 
iting the  number.  The  king  being  informed  of  this, 
named  Tronchet  and  Target ;  the  former  accepted 
the  office  with  pleasure,  the  latter  refused  the  danger- 
ous task,  alleging  that  he  was  incapacitated  by  age. 
M.  Lamoignon  de  Malesherbes,  though  nearly  eighty, 
offered  his  services,  which  were  gratefully  accepted. 

When  Malesherbes  and  Tronchet  were  admitted  t< 
the  king,  they  found  none  of  the  papers  of  his  accusa- 
tion had  yet  been  sent  him.  He  had,  with  great  dif- 
ficulty, been  allowed  till  the  26th  of  December  to 
prepare  his  defence  :  these  valuable  moments  were 
in  danger  of  being  lost  by  this  cruel  delay.  At  length 
they  were  delivered,  and  his  counsel  began  to  prepare 
his  defence,  but  their  age  preventing  their  making 
such  exertions  as  the  importance  of  the  case,  and 
shortness  of  time,  required :  they  procured  M.  de 
Seze,  a  young  man,  to  assist  them.  .  When  the  defence 
was  composed,  it  was  read  to  the  king,  who  approved 
it  in  general,  but  ordered  the  omission  of  every  ex- 
pression relating  to  his  virtues,  or  which  seemed  to  ap- 
peal to  the  commisseration  of  the  public. 

The  next,  being  Christmas- day,  he  spent  entirely 
in  the  duties  of  religion,  and  in  composing  that  cele- 
brated will  which  reflects  so  much  honour  on  his  prin- 
ciples and  character. 

His  counsel  were  treated  with  great  insult :  one  of 
the  commissioners  told  Malesherbes,  he  ought  not  to 
have  such  freedom  of  ingress,  as  he  might  furnish  the 
king  with  poison,  "  If  1  should,"  he  replied,  "  the 
king  is  too  sincere  a  Christian  to  make  use  of  it." 
His  majesty  felt  the  firmest  persuasion  that  the  proof 
of  his  innocence  would  not  procure  his  acquittal ;  he 
therefore  prepared  for  the  event  with  magnanimity. 

Those  who  espoused  the  cause  of  the  king  in  the 
convention,  had  obtained  a  decree,  that  no  person 
should  be  admitted  into  the  galleries,  till  a  certain 
hour  in  the  morning.     In  contempt  of  this  regulation. 


364  MEMOIRS  OF 


the  mob  had  taken  possession  the  preceding  evening  : 
and  when  Manual  moved  the  decree  should  be  enfor 
ced — he  was  hooted ;  and  the  convention  forced  to 
pass  to  the  order  of  the  day.  Besides  those  in  the 
galleries,  a  crowd  beset  the  passages  ;  and  groupe- 
were  formed  in  the  different  streets,  who  surrounded, 
insulted,  and  threatened  those  deputies,  who  were 
supposed  to  favour  the  king. 

On  the  morning  of  the  26th,  the  king  left  the  Tern- 
pie,  attended  as  before  ;  notwithstanding  the  impor- 
tance of  the  occasion,  he  conversed  with  cheerfulness 
all  the  way.  General  Berruyer  announced  his  arri- 
val ;  and  he  was  introduced  in  the  following  order  : 
Berruyer  and  Santerre  walked  first,  the  mayor  and 
procureur  after  them,  and  last,  the  king  and  his  coun- 
sel. 

The  president  said,  "  Louis,  the  convention  has  de- 
creed, that  you  shall  be  finally  heard  this  day."  The 
king  replied,  "  M.  de  Seze,  one  of  my  counsel,  will 
read  my  defence.  De  Seze  then  ascended  the  tri- 
bune, and  in  a  distinct  tone  read  that  well-known  de- 
fence, which  placed  the  king's  innocence  beyond  a 
doubt. 

While  de  Seze  was  speaking,  the  king  maintained 
his  usual  tranquillity.  De  Seze  having  finished,  the 
king  arose,  and  in  a  calm  manner  said,  "  Citizens, 
you  have  heard  my  defence  ;  I  now  speak  to  you  per- 
haps for  the  last  time,  and  declare  that  my  conscience 
reproaches  me  with  nothing,  and  that  my  counsel  have 
asserted  nothing  but  the  truth.  I  never  was  afraid  of 
having  my  conduct  publicly  investigated,  but  1  am  most 
sensibly  afflicted  to  find  in  the  act  of  accusation,  a 
charge  that  I  desired  to  shed  the  blood  of  the  people  : 
and  particularly,  that  I  occasioned  the  misfortunes  oi 
(he  tenth  of  August.  I  confess  that  the  numerous  in- 
stances I  have  given  on  every  occasion,  of  my  love 
of  the  people,  and  the  manner  in  which  I  have  con 
ducted  myself,    appeared  to  me    fully    sufficient  to 


LA  FAYETTE.  365 


prove  how  little  I  feared  exposing  my  own  safety, 
in  order  to  avoid  bloodshed,  and  to  have  effectual- 
ly prevented  such  an  imputation."  The  king  was 
then  ordered  to  retire. 

While  waiting  in  the  chambre  des  conferences,  the 
king  expressed  the  most  anxious  solicitude  for  M.  de 
Seze,  fearing  his  violent  exertions  in  the  convention 
would  injure  his  health. 

The  king  having  retired,  a  violent  debate  took 
place,  on  the  motion  of  Manuel,  to  adjourn  for  three 
days,  and  print  the  defence,  and  send  it  to  the  de- 
partments. On  the  other  side,  it  was  urged,  the  con- 
vention should  pronounce  sentence  without  delay. 
At  length  it  was  decreed,  that  every  member  should 
deliver  his  opinion  from  the  tribune  before  the  day 
fixed  for  appel  nominal,  and  that  the  convention  should 
occupy  itself  solely  with  this  trial. 

The  decree  for  hearing  the  opinion  of  every  mem- 
ber threatened  to  be  productive  of  so  much  delay,  that 
in  a  few  days  it  was  repealed  ;  and  those  who  had 
composed  discourses  for  the  occasion,  were  ordered 
to  lay  them  on  the  table,  that  they  might  be  printed, 
and  read  by  those  that  wished  it.  The  form  and  ar- 
raignment of  the  questions  then  took  up  a  whole  day. 
They  were  in  substance  :  First,  Is  Louis  guilty  or 
not  ?  Second,  Shall  the  judgment  to  be  pronounced  be 
submitted  to  the  people  in  primary  assemblies  ?  Third, 
What  punishment  has  he  incurred? 

On  the  first  appel  nominal  (Is  Louis  guilty  or  not  ?) 
there  was  a  general  affirmative. 

On  the  second  appel  nominal,  (Shall  the  judgment 
to  be  pronounced  be  submitted  to  the  people  in  pri- 
mary assemblies  ?)  which  was  put  to  the  vote  the 
same  day,  the  division  was  for  the  affirmative,  203 ; 
for  the  negative,  424  ; — majority  147. 

The  third  appel  nominal,  (What  punishment  has  he 
incurred  ?)  occasioned  a  discussion  which  lasted  two 
days,  because  almost  every  member  accompanied  h'is 
31* 


366  MEMOIRS  OF 


vote  with  some  reason  or  reflection.  The  number  of 
suffrages  was  reduced  by  refusals  to  vote  to  721  ;  of 
these  361  would  have  formed  a  majority.  On  casting 
up  the  votes,  it  appeared  that  34  had  given  their  opin- 
ions for  death,  with  various  restrictions  ;  2,  for  per- 
petual imprisonment;  and  319  for  confinement  or 
banishment ; — total,  355.  The  number  of  votes  for 
death  absolutely  was  366  ;  majority,  11.  The  presi- 
dent, after  enumerating  the  suifrages,  said,  "  The  pun- 
ishment pronounced  against  Louis  is,  Death." 

Whatever  had  been  the  hopes  and  wishes  of  Orleans, 
it  would  be  expected  he  should  abstain  from  voting  on 
the  question  which  decided  the  fate  of  his  unfortunate 
cousin.  The  murmurs  excited  by  his  votes  on  the 
first  and  second  appel  nominal  might  have  induced  re- 
flection before  the  third  was  proposed.  But  he  exci- 
ted the  horror  even  of  that  assembly,  and  has  entailed 
on  himself  the  execration  of  posterity,  by  the  sentence 
he  read  from  the  tribune  :  "  Influenced  by  no  consid- 
eration, but  that  of  performing  my  duty ;  convinced 
that  all  who  have  conspired,  or  who  shall  hereafter 
conspire  against  the  sovereignty  of  the  people,  de- 
serve death,  I  vote  for  death  !"  This  conduct, 
which  excited  great  indignation  in  the  people,  produ- 
ced no  other  effect  in  the  king's  mind,  than  a  sense  of 
the  degraded  state  of  his  persecutor.  "  I  do  not 
know,"  he  said,  "  what  I  have  done  to  my  cousin,  to 
make  him  behave  to  me  in  the  manner  he  has  ;  but  he 
is  to  be  pitied.  He  is  still  more  unfortunate  than  I 
am.  I  certainly  would  not  Ghange  conditions  with 
him." 

When  the  sentence  had  been  pronounced,  the  king's 
counsel  were  admitted.  De  Seze,  after  a  short  ex- 
ordium, read  the  following  letter  from  the  king  : 

"  I  owe  to  my  honour,  to  my  family,  not  to  sub- 
scribe to  a  sentence  which  declares  me  guilty  of  a 
crime  with  which  I  cannot  reproach  myself.  I  there- 
Tore  appeal  to  the  nation  at  large  from  the  decision  of 


LA  FAYETTE  367 


its  representatives  ;  and  I  do,  by  these  presents, 
charge  my  counsel,  on  their  fidelity,  by  all  means  in 
their  power,  to  make  this  appeal  known  to  the  conven- 
tion, and  to  require  that  it  may  be  mentioned  in  the 
minutes  of  their  sittings. 

"Done  at  Paris,  the  16th  of  January,  1793. 

(Signed)  "  Louis." 

This  paper  having  been  read,  each  of  the  counsel 
enforced  its  contents,  with  a  few  observations,  repre- 
senting the  illegality  and  cruelty  of  the  sentence. 
The  convention  passed  to  the  order  of  the  day,  and 
on  the  morrow  took  into  consideration  the  question  of 
delaying  the  sentence. 

The  convention  then  decreed,  "That  the  executive 
council  should  be  summoned,  and  a  copy  of  the  de- 
cree, which  pronounces  sentence  of  death  against 
Louis,  delivered  to  them  ;  that  the  executive  council 
should  notify  the  decree  to  Louis  in  the  course  of  the 
day,  and  cause  it  to  be  executed  within  twenty-four 
hours  after  it  had  been  notified  to  him  ;  that  the  mayor 
and  municipal  officers  should  be  enjoined  to  suffer 
Louis  to  communicate  freely  with  his  family,  and  to 
have  with  him  such  priests  as  he  might  desire  in  his  last 
moments. 

When  Garat  attended  with  the  decree,  "  Louis," 
said  he,  in  a  faultering  voice,  "the  executive  council 
is  ordered  to  notify  to  you,  the  decree  which  the  con- 
vention passed  last  night,"  The  secretary  then  read 
the  decree.  At  the  words,  conspired  against  the  gen- 
eral safety  of  the  nation,  the  king  was  shocked,  but 
heard  his  sentence  with  unalterable  calmness.  He  re- 
plied, by  making  some  demands  he  considered  essen- 
tial to  his  comfort  in  his  last  moments,  and  which  were 
contained  in  a  paper  he  gave  Garat  to  present  to  the 
council.     The  contents  were  these  : 

"  1  demand  a  delay  of  three  days  to  prepare  myself 
to  appear  in  the  presence  of  my  God  ;  to  see  in  private 
M.  de  Fremont  (Edge worth  ;)  to  be  freed  from  the  un- 


308  MEMOIRS  OF 


ceasing  watchfulness  which,  for  some  days  past,  the 
commune  has  constantly  exercised  ;  to  communicate, 
in  private,  with  my  family.  That  the  convention  will 
take  into  consideration  the  fate  of  my  family)  and  per- 
mit them  to  retire  wherever  they  please.  I  recom- 
mend to  the  nation  those  persons  who  were  attached 
to  me,  many  of  whom  have  no  means  of  subsistence 
but  the  pensions  I  allowed  them;  also  those  individu- 
als who  have  expended  their  whole  fortunes  in  procu- 
ring situations  about  me." 

Several  of  these  requests  had  been  anticipated  by 
the  decree  of  the  preceding  day.  On  hearing  the  pa- 
per read,  the  convention  referred  to  that  decree.  With 
respect  to  the  king's  family  and  servants,  they  gave  an 
evasive  though  flattering  answer  :  "  The  national  con- 
vention authorizes  the  executive  council  to  reply  to 
Louis,  that  the  French  nation,  great  in  its  beneficence 
as  it  is  rigorous  in  its  justice,  will  take  care  of  his  fam- 
ily, and  provide  for  it  a  suitable  fate."  This  was  also 
understood  to  extend  to  his  servants.  The  delay  was 
peremptorily  refused. 

The  Abbe  Edgeworth  had  been  apprised  by  Male- 
sherbes,  that  the  king  would  probably  desire  his  servi- 
ces, if  he  could  obtain  permission  to  attend.  Garat 
sent  for  him,  and  asked,  "  If  he  would  go  to  Louis  in 
the  temple  ?"  "  Unquestionably  I  will,"  replied  the 
abbe  ;  "  the  king's  request  is  to  me  an  order."  Garat 
then  took  him  in  his  carriage  ;  but  struck  with  the  dan- 
ger to  Edgeworth,  frequently  exclaimed,  "  What  a 
dreadful  commission." 

While  on  their  way  to  the  temple,  the  abbe  reques- 
ted he  might  be  allowed  to  attend  the  king  in  priest's 
vestments,  but  was  refused.  Before  he  was  allowed 
to  ascend  the  staircase,  he  wras  strictly  searched,  and 
his  snuff-box  taken  away,  lest  it  contained  poison. 

When  Edgeworth  was  introduced  to  his  majesty,  the 
sight  of  his  calm  dignity,  contrasted  with  the  horrid 


LA  FAYETTE.  369 


countenances  of  those  who  surrounded  him,  greatlv 
affected  him.  The  king  expressed  a  wish  to  be  left 
alone  with  his  confessor.  As  soon  as  the  room  was 
cleared,  the  Abbe  fell  on  his  knees,  kissed  his  majesty's 
hand,  which  he  bathed  with  tears.  The  king  was  so 
affected  wih  this  mark  of  respect,  that  he  also  wept. 
w  Excuse  me,  M.  Edgeworth,"  said  he  ;  "  none  but  the 
most  unrelenting  of  men  have  been  allowed  to  ap- 
proach me  of  late.  My  eyes  are  accustomed  to  them ; 
but  the  sight  of  a  man  of  humanity,  a  faithful  subject, 
affects  my  whole  soul,  and  melts  me  as  you  see." 

The  king  then  led  the  Abbe  into  his  closet,  and  read 
over  to  him  his  will,  with  a  firm  voice,  except  at  those 
places  where  mention  is  made  of  his  queen,  children, 
and  sister.  He  then  inquired  after  several  of  his 
friends,  forgave  and  pitied  his  enemies,  particularly 
the  Duke  of  Orleans,  and  deplored  the  fate  of  his  de- 
luded subjects. 

When  he  finished  conversing,  he  rose  to  make  his 
last  visit  to  his  family,  saying,  that  would  be  his  sever- 
est trial ;  but  when  it  was  over,  he  should  fix  his  mind 
solely  on  what  concerned  his  salvation. 

Leaving  Edgeworth  in  his  closet,  the  king  went  to 
the  apartment  where  his  family  assembled.  The  in- 
terview lasted  more  than  an  hour.  A  scene  more  aw- 
ful and  affecting  cannot  be  imagined.  The  king  enter- 
ed the  room  with  calmness ;  and  as  he  was  alone,  freed 
from  his  guards,  his  family  enjoyed  a  momentary  hope, 
that  better  days  were  about  to  arise.  The  silence  of 
the  king,  his  embraces,  the  tears  which  his  efforts  could 
no  longer  restrain,  produced  cries  of  despair,  which 
were  heard  beyond  the  precincts  of  the  temple.  When 
it  became  necessary  to  separate,  he  had  occasion  for 
some  exertions  to  tear  himself  away  from  their  passion- 
ate embraces,  and  convulsive  grasps.  He  gave  them 
hopes  of  another  meeting  ;  but  his  last  expressive  look 
contradicted  his  words.  His  wife  and  sister  fell  sense- 
less ;  his  daughter  was  in  a  state  which,  for  sonre  time, 


370  MEMOIRS  OF 


rendered  her  recovery  doubtful.  The  dauphin  ran 
after  him,  his  voice  lost  in  sobs,  rapidly  traversed  the 
outward  apartments,  descended  the  stairs,  and  reach- 
ed the  court-yard  of  the  temple.  He  addressed  the 
guards  in  the  most  pathetic  terms  of  supplication,  his 
hands  clasped,  and  throwing  himself  on  his  knees,  "Let 
me  pass,  gentlemen,  let  me  pass  !  I  want  to  speak  to 
the  people — to  entreat  them  not  to  kill  my  papa.  Oh, 
gentlemen,  let  me  pass,  in  the  name  of  God,  pray  do 
not  hinder  me  !"  His  entreaties  were  vain  ;  they  com- 
pelled him  to  return. 

When  the  king  returned,  he  was  in  a  state  of  great 
emotion.  As  he  recovered  himself  he  said  to  Edge- 
worth,  k*  Alas  !  why  do  I  love  with  so  much  tender- 
ness, and  why  am  I  so  tenderly  beloved  f"  After  a  few 
minutes,  he  began  a  religious  conversation,  and  aston> 
ished  his  confessor  by  his  exemplary  piety. 

At  ten  o'clock,  Clere  entreatedhim,  with  tears  in  his 
eyes,  to  take  some  supper.  In  compliance  t©  the  wish 
of  this  faithful  friend,  the  king  took  some  refresh- 
ment, and  persuaded  the  abbe  to  do  the  same.   • 

Edgeworth  then  asked  the  king  if  he  did  not  desire 
to  hear  mass,  and  receive  the  sacraments.  Louis  ex- 
pressed the  most  earnest  inclination,  but  added,  he 
despaired  of  the  commissioners  allowing  it.  The 
abbe,  whose  zeal  was  not  damped  by  the  insults  he 
had  already  endured,  undertook  to  solicit  permission. 
On  his  application,  the  officer  said,  "  There  are  ex- 
amples in  history,  of  priests  who  have  mixed  poison 
with  the  hostie."  Edgeworth  calmly  replied,  "  I 
have  been  sufficiently  searched  to  satisfy  you,  but  to 
obviate  all  doubts,  you  yourselves  may  furnish  me 
with  the  hostie."  The  council  took  some  time  to  de- 
liberate, and  at  length  agreed,  on  condition  the  priest 
should  write  the  demand  and  sign  it,  and  that  alt 
should  be  over  before  seven  in  the  morning.  The 
king  received  these  tidings  with  gratitude,  and  pros 
trated  himself  in  thanksgiving  to  God  for  his  mercy, 


LA  FAYETTE.  371 


Edgeworth,  seeing  the  king  much  exhausted,  pre- 
vailed on  him  to  lie  down,  and  himself  lay  in  Clere's 
bed.  With  a  full  consciousness  that  his  last  moments 
were  fast  approaching,  the  king  slept  calmly,  without 
agitation. 

At  five  in  the  morning,  the  king  called  up  Clere  : 
He  then  heard  mass,  and  received  the  communion 
with  the  most  profound  devotion.  A  noise  was  heard: 
Edgeworth  apprehending  the  fatal  moment  had  ar- 
rived, shewed  signs  of  terror  ;  the  king  maintained 
bis  usual  serenity. — It  was  only  the  guard  resuming 
their  posts.  To  some  trifling  request  he  made,  they 
answered,  "  That  might  do  well  enough,  citizen,  when 
you  were  king,  but  that's  not  the  case  now."  The 
king  turning  to  his  confessor,  said,  "  you  see  how  I  am 
treated,  but  nothing  can  shock  me  now  ;"  footsteps 
were  now  heard  on  the  stairs  ;  "  they  are  now  com- 
ing," he  added. 

The  commissioners  of  the  commune,  with  a  con- 
stitutional priest,  named  Jaques  Roux,  came  to  an- 
nounce the  hour  was  at  hand.  "  It  is  enough,"  said 
his  majesty  ;  "  I  will  join  you  immediately,  but  I  wish 
to  pass  a  few  moments  alone  with  my  confessor."  He 
then  repeated  his  recommendation  of  his  family,  ad- 
ding a  request,  that  Clere  might  be  allowed  to  remain 
with  the  Queen ;  but  fearing  that  term  might  dis- 
please, he  hastily  corrected  hirriself,  and  said  "  my 
wife."  He  offered  a  packet  to  Roux  to  give  to  the 
commune,  but  he  answered,  "  It  is  my  duty  to  con- 
vey you  to  the  place  of  execution,  and  nothing  more." 
"  You  are  right,"  said  the  king  ;  and  presented  it  to 
another,  who  accepted  the  charge,  and  delivered  it 
faithfully. 

When  he  had  retired  with  Edgeworth,  he  said, 
"  All  is  consummated  ;  give  me  yourlast  benediction. " 
His  tenderness  had  prevented  his  requesting  the  ab- 
be to  accompany  him  ;  but  that  worthy  man  volunta- 
rily offered  it,  and  professed  his  determination  not  to 


372  MEMOIRS  OF 


quit  him.  This  cheered  the  king;  he  said  he  was 
prepared  to  meet  his  last  moment. 

His  majesty  observing  the  commissioners  were  all 
covered,  ordered  Clere  to  bring  his  hat.  Jaques 
Roux,  and  another  constitutional  priest,  with  two 
fierce-looking  gens  dParmes  entered  the  carriage  with 
the  king  and  Edgeworth. 

A  profound  silence  prevailed  among  the  people. 
The  escort  consisted  of  twelve  hundred  men,  and  all 
the  streets  were  crowded  with  national  guards.  The 
doors  of  most  of  the  houses  were  shut,  and  the  po- 
lice had  strictly  forbidden  any  one  to  appear  at  the 
windows. 

As  the  progress  was  very  slow,  the  king  asked 
Edgeworth  for  a  prayer-book  ;  the  abbe  had  none 
but  his  breviary,  which  he  gave  him,  pointing  out 
those  psalms  which  were  most  proper  in  his  situation. 
His  majesty  continued  reading  with  great  devotion, 
till  he  came  to  the  foot  of  the  guillotine,  which  was 
erected  between  the  pedestal  which  had  supported  the 
statue  of  Louis  the  Fifteenth,  and  the  Champs  Elisees. 
He  arrived  at  twenty  minutes  after  ten. 

The  executioners  having  opened  the  carriage  door, 
the  king  laying  his  hand  on  Edgeworth's  knee,  said  to 
the  gens  <T  armes,  "  Gentlemen,  I  recommend  M. 
Edgeworth  to  your  protection."  As  they  made  uo- 
answer,  he  repeated  the  request  with  greater  earnest- 
ness :  "  I  conjure  you  to  take  care  that  no  harm  befai 
him  after  my  death."  At  length  one  of  them  said, 
'*  Well,  well,  we  shall  take  care  of  hirn." 

The  king  having  thrown  off  his  coat,  was  going  to 
ascend  the  scaffold,  when  they  seized  his  hands  to 
tie  them  behind  his  back.  As  he  was  unprepared  for 
this  insult,  his  first  movement  was  to  repel  the  attempt 
with  indignation.  But  Edgeworth  knowing  resistance 
was  vain,  and  would  only  expose  him  to  greater  indig- 
nities, said,  "  Sire,  this  new  humiliation  is  another 
circumstance   in  which  your  majesty's  sufferings  re- 


LA  FAYETTE.  373 


^emble  those  of  our  Saviour,  who  will  soon  be  your 
reward."  Instantly  the  king,  with  an  air  of  dignified 
resignation,  presented  his  hands.  The  executioners 
drawing  the  cords  with  the  utmost  violence,  he  mildly 
said,  "  There  is  no  need  to  pull  so  tight." 

While  heascendedthe  scaffold,  Edgeworth  exclaim 
ed  aloud,  "  Louis,  son  of  St.   Louis,  ascend   to 
Heaven." 

As  soon  as  the  king  came  upon  the  scaffold,  advan- 
cing with  a  firm  step  to  the  part  which  faced  the  pal- 
ace, he  desired  the  drums  to  cease,  and  was  obeyed^ 
He  then  pronounced,  loud  enough  to  be  heard,  in  the 
garden  of  the  Tuileries,  "  Frenchmen,  I  die  innocent 
of  the  crimes  imputed  to  me,  I  forgive  my  enemies . 
.1  implore  God,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  to  pardon 
them,  and  not  to  take  vengeance  on  the  French  nation 
for  the  blood  about  to  be  sAerf," 

He  was  continuing,  when  the  brutal  Santerre  push- 
ed furiously  towards  the  drummers,  and  forced  them 
to  beat  without  intermmission.  The  executioners 
seized  their  victim,  and  placed  him  under  the  axe  of 
the  guillotine. 

Edgeworth  remained  kneeling  on  the  scaffold  in  a 
state  of  stupor,  till  roused  by  the  cries  of  the  pop- 
ulace, when  he  retired  to  the  house   of  Malesherbes. 

As  soon  as  the  act  was  done,  the  mob  exclaimed, 
''  Vive  la  republique  /"  One  man  caught  up  the  bleed- 
ing head,  and  brandishing  it  with  exultation,  cried. 
a  Vive  le  nation  /"  Several  persons  dipped  the  points 
of  pikes,  handkerchiefs,  &c.  &c.  in  the  blood.  The 
king's  hair  had  been  cut  off  before  he  ascended  the 
scaffold,  and  was  sold  in  small  parcels  for  considerable 
sums,  to  persons  who  still  felt  loyalty,  veneration,  or 
pity. 

On  the  day  of  this  execution,  le  Due,  an  old  ser 
vant  of  the  king's  father,  addressed  a  letter  to  the  con 
vention,  praying  for  leave  to  inter  the  body  at  Lens; 
with  the  rest  of  his  family.     This  request  was  refu- 

32 


m  MEMOIRS  OF 


seel.  Chabotsaid,  Louis  oughttobe  buried  with  oth- 
er citizens  in  the  place  of  the  section  where  he  last 
resided.  Legendre  moved,  that  he  might  be  permitted 
to  cut  the  body  into  eighty-four  parts,  and  send  one  to 
each  of  the  departments,  and  the  heart  to  the  conven- 
tion. The  king's  body  was  thrown  without  ceremony 
into  a  hole  in  the  church-yard  of  St.  Mary  fMagdalen, 
which  was  filled  with  quicklime,  and  guarded  till  the 
body  was  supposed  to  be  quite  consumed,  and  then 
levelled,  that  every  trace  of  the  spot  where  the  mo- 
narch was  deposited  might  be  obliterated. 

Thus  fell  Louis  the  Sixteenth,  on  January  the  21st, 
1793.  His  untimely  end  was  honoured  by  a  general 
mourning,  in  all  the  countries  of  Europe.* 

*  Louis  XVI.  son  of  the  dauphin,  and  of  Mary  Jose- 
phine, of  Saxony,  the  daughter  of  Frederic  Augustus, 
king  of  Poland,  who  was  born  23d  August  1754,  and  in 
consequence  of  the  death  of  his  father,  1 765,  he  exchan- 
ged the  title  of  duke  of  Berry  for  that  of  dauphin,  and 
ascended  the  throne  of  France  on  the  death  of  his  grand- 
father, 1774.  His  union  with  Marie  Antoinette,  of  Aus- 
tria, in  1770,  was  attended  by  the  unfortunate  death  of 
above  4000  persons,  who  had  assembled  to  behold  the 
public  rejoicings  at  Paris.  On  the  day  of  his  elevation  to 
the  crown,  the  young  monarch,  as  if  foreboding  the  mise- 
ries which  awaited  him,  exclaimed,  O  my  God,  how  unfor- 
tunate for  me  !  Nevertheless,  to  repair  the  misconduct  of 
his  predecessors,  and  to  meet  the  exigencies  of  an  ex- 
hausted treasury,  a  ruined  commerce,  a  shattered  ma- 
rine, and  the  discontents  of  a  nation  loaded  with  taxes,  the 
new  king  called  around  him  ministers  of  credit  and  abili- 
ty. Vergennes  took  the  charge  of  foreign  affairs,  Turgot 
presided  over  the  finances,  Malesherbes  became  counsel- 
lor of  state,  Sartine  directed  the  affairs  of  the  marine, 
and  Maurepas  was  made  prime  minister.  The  first  act 
of  his  reign  endeared  Louis  to  his  people,  and  he  nobly 
remitted  the  tribute  which  was  expected  on  the  accession 
of  a  new  monarch .     Already  abases  t)egan  to  be  redressed, 


LA  FAYETTE.  376 


After  the  death  of  the  King,  that  of  the  Queen  soon 
followed.     Barrere  presented  a  decree  to  the  Assem- 

the  exiled  parliament  was  recalled,  and  commerce  and  in 
dustry  began  to  recover  their  usual  activity,  but  unfortu- 
nately the  American  war  broke  out.  Eager  to  humble 
England  by  assisting  her  revolted  colonies,  the  ministers 
of  Louis  pursued  a  course  which  was  to  prove  fatal  to  their 
master,  and  disastrous  to  Europe  By  supporting  the 
Americans,  they  kindled  a  dreadful  war  ngainst  England, 
which,  while  it  separated  the  colonies  from  the  mother 
country,  increased,  in  a  more  intolerable  degree,  the  debts 
of  France,  and  the  miseries  of  her  subjects.  To  repair 
the  ruined  finances,  proved  too  mighty  a  labour  for  the 
abilities  of  Oalonne  ;  and  the  cardinal  de  Brienne,  wishing 
to  gain  by  violence  what  his  predecessor  sought  by  per- 
suasion, laid  severe  imposts,  which  the  poverty  of  the  peo- 
ple and  the  dissatisfaction  of  the  great,  could  not  discharge, 
The  parliament  of  Paris  was  exiled  to  Troyes,  for  refu- 
sing to  register  these  unpopular  taxes  ;  and  when  recalled 
by  the  fatal  moderation  of  the  monarch,  they,  instead  of 
complying,  called  for  the  meeting  of  the  States  General  of 
the  kingdom,  to  assist  in  the  difficulties  of  the  govern- 
ment. Obedient  to  the  general  voice  of  the  people,  Lou- 
is convoked  the  States  General,  which  met  at  Versailles, 
5th  May,  1789.  But  while  the  three  orders,  the  nobles, 
the  clergy,  and  the  commons,  disputed  which  should  be 
exempted  from  contributing  to  the  burdens  of  the  state, 
dissention  arose  between  them,  and  instead  of  labouring 
earnestly  all  for  the  public  good,  each  sought  for  the  ag- 
grandizement of  his  own  order,  and  listened  to  the  voice 
of  the  factious  and  the  intriguing.  The  troops  which  sur- 
rounded Paris  gave  offence  to  the  deputies  ;  and  at  the 
voice  of  the  hypocritical  democrat,  Mirabeau,  the  people 
of  Paris  arose,  and  on  the  14th  July,  1789,  they  seized 
the  Bastile,  and  after  the  most  atrocious  barbarities,  bid 
defiance  to  the  government.  Though  the  mild  character 
of  the  monarch,  and  the  hesitating  measures  of  his  minis- 
ters, seemed  to  promise  every  concession,  the  factious 
leaders  of  the  populace  determined  to  attempt  new  crimes. 
On  the  5th  of  October  following,  an  armed  multitude,  with 


3f6  MEMOIRS  OF 


bly,  or  Convention,  "  that  Marie  Antoinette  should  be 
referred  to  the  extraordinary  tribunal,  and  instantly 
conveyed  to  the  prison  of  the  Conciergerie." 


women  of  the  most  abandoned  and  ferocious  character,  set 
out  from  Paris  for  Versailles.  The  guards  of  the  palace 
were  murdered,  the  doors  of  the  apartments  were  broken 
open,  and  the  bed,  from  which  the  unhappy  Qiieen  scarce 
could  escape,  was  pierced  with  a  thousand  stabs.  The 
monarch,  surrounded  by  his  terrified  family,  was  with  dif- 
ficulty spared,  but  it  was  to  suffer  new  indignities.  He  waf. 
immediately  hurried  to  Paris,  preceded  by  the  insulting 
cavalcade  ;  while  around  his  carriage  were  presented  on 
pikes,  with  the  grossest  exclamations,  the  heads  ofhis  faith- 
ful servants  who  had  been  murdered  in  defence  of  his  per- 
son. Placed  as  a  prisoner  in  the  palace  of  the  Tuileries, 
he  made  every  sacrifice  which  could  restore  tranquillity  ; 
and  the  14th  of  February  1790,  he  gave  his  assent  to  the 
new  constitution,  which  leduced  his  power  to  a  mere  shad- 
ow. Notwithstanding  these  humiliating  concessions,  he 
was  still  insulted  ;  murder  and  insurrection  still  continued, 
or  rather  were  encouraged  ;  and  at  the  last,  tired  of  a  sit- 
uation which  left  him  no  prospect  of  liberty,  the  monarch 
escaped  privately  from  Paris,  21st  June,  1791,  and  nearly 
reached  the  frontiers  of  France.  His  person,  however, 
was  recognised  at  Varennes,  and  he  was  brought  back  to 
Paris  to  endure  fresh  indignities.  Though  treated  with 
seeming  respect  by  the  National  Assembly,  the  insults  of 
Ihe  populace  were  not  checked,  and  on  the  20th  of  June, 
1792,  a  ferocious  mob  forced  its  way  to  the  palace,  and 
threatened  the  destruction  of  the  royal  family.  Louis,  un- 
dismayed, presented  himself  to  these  barbarians,  and  for 
two  hours,  disarmed  them  of  their  murderous  fury,  till 
Petion,  with  hypocritical  marks  of  respect,  came  to  libe* 
rate  the  monarch  from  this  perilous  situation.  The  events 
of  this  day  warned  Louis  ofhis  approaching  fate,  and  it  is 
said,  that  now  he  began  to  write  his  will,  and  to  prepare 
himself  for  death.  The  declaration  of  war  by  the  Empe- 
ror, and  Prussia  against  France,  and  the  threats  of  the 
Duke  of  Brunswick,  and  his  invasion  of  Champagne,  roused 


LA  FAYETTE,  &V 


On  the  night  this  decree  passed,  two  municipal  offi- 
cers went  to  the  temple  to  execute  it.     The  Queen 

more  powerfully  the  resentment  of  the  moh,  as  they  were 
taught,  by  their  flagitious  leaders,  that  these  .oeasures 
were  dictated  by  their  imprisoned  monarch.  In  the  midst 
of  these  events,  with  a  victorious  enemy  approaching  the 
capital,  and  an  ungovernahle  multitude  thirsting  for  blood, 
the  10th  of  August,  still  more  terrible  than  all  others, 
came  :  the  tocsin  was  sounded,  the  Tfciileries  attacked,  and 
the  faithful  Swiss  guards  murdered  in  every  avenue  of  the 
palace.  Already  the  cannon  was  pointed  against  the  apart- 
ments of  the  monarch,  when  he  was  persuaded  to  dy  for 
safety  to  the  hall  of  the  assembly,  and  though  often  in- 
terrupted by  the  sight  of  heaps  of  slain,  by  the  shrieks 
of  the  dying,  and  by  the  outrageous  insults  of  the  mob, 
he  reached  this  spot,  where  he  heard  his  name  treated 
with  studied  indignity,  his  power  suspended,  and  his  sen- 
tence of  imprisonment  pronounced.  Confined  in  one  of 
the  towers  of  the  Temple,  he  for  some  time  was  permit- 
ted to  enjoy  the  soothing  company  of  his  family  ;  but  as 
his  tyrants  increased  in  power,  they  decreased  in  compas- 
sion and  humanity.  The  convention  succeeded  the  assem- 
bly, and  they  not  only  decreed  the  abolition  of  roy  dty  in 
France,  but  they  proclaimed  the  necessity  of  trying  their 
fallen  monarch.  Depicted,  in  the  speeches  of  this  vile 
assembly,  as  a  tyrant  and  a  traitor,  Louis  had  no  mercy 
to  expect  from  such  perjured  judge?.  Though  deprived 
of  pen  and  paper,  and  of  every  means  by  which  he  might 
have  prepared  himself,  he  appeared  with  his  usual  seren- 
ity before  this  murderous  tribunal,  and  his  answers  to  in- 
terrogatories, he  maintained  the  dignity  of  the  monarch, 
and  the  firmness  of  the  Christian.  Though  thus  insulted, 
yet  an  apparent  show  of  candor  in  the  convention,  per- 
mitted his  faithful  ministers,  Malesherbes,  Tronchet,  and 
De  Seze,  to  appear  at  their  bar  as  his  defenders  ;  but  nei- 
ther the  tears  nor  the  venerable  appearance  of  these  aged 
and  illustrious  men,  nor  the  present  misfortunes,  the  past 
greatness  and  well-known  innocence  of  Louis,  could  avail. 
On  the  17th,  Jan.  1793,  he  was  condemned  to  death,  but 

32  * 


►78  MEMOIRS  OF 


was  in  bed.  They  insisted  on  her  rising  instantly. 
They  then  searched  her  pockets,  and  took  away  their 
contents.  She  earnestly,  but  in  vain,  begged  to  be 
allowed  to  retain  a  small  pocket-book.  She  took  an 
affecting  farewell  of  her  daughter  and  sister;  her  son 
she  was  not  allowed  to  see.     In  the  court-yard,  a 


only  by  a  majority  of  five  voices.  He  heard  of  his  fatte 
with  composure  and  resignation  ;  but  his  parting  with  the 
queen  and  his  family;  was  tender  and  affecting  beyond  the 
power  of  description.  On  the  21st  he  was  conveyed  to 
the  scaffold,  attended  by  M.  Edgeworth,  a  catholic  priest, 
and  on  the  fatal  spot  he  attempted  to  address  the  multi- 
tude which  surrounded  him,  but  the  beating  of  drums 
drowned  his  voice.  As  he  placed  himself  on  the  machine, 
his  confessor  fervently  exclaimed,  O  son  of  St.  Louis 
ascend  to  heaven,  and  that  moment  his  head  was  severed 
from  the  body.  His  remains  were  conveyed  to  the 
jhurch-yard  of  St.  Magdalen,  aud  immediately  consumed 
in  quick  lime.  He  left  a  son,  who  in  history  bears  the 
name  of  Louis  XVII.  and  as  if  to  offer  new  indignity  to  a 
ihrone  that  hrtd  crumbled  to  the  dust,  this  younjj  prince, 
aged  eight,  was  intrusted  to  the  care  of  Simon,  a  shoe- ma- 
ker, .and  died  soon  after  from  the  rude  treatment  he  receiv- 
ed, or  as  some  suppose,  from  poison.  His  daughter,  after 
seeing  the  murder  of  her  parents,  and  of  her  aunt,  was 
exchanged  with  Austria  for  the  deputies  detained  by  the 
imperialists,  and  she  married  her  cousin,  the  duke  of  An- 
gouleme.  Louis,  regarded  as  a  monarch,  but  not  contem- 
plated with  the  misfortunes  which  closed  his  life,  must  be 
acknowledged  to  be  a  virtuous  and  amiable  man.  His 
letters  display  the  goodness  of  a  benevolent  heart,  attached 
to  religion,  anxious  to  do  good,  and  eager  to  maintain  in- 
tegrity and  uprightness.  If  as  a  monarch  he  had  posses- 
sed greater  resolution,  and  more  firm  consistency  of  char- 
acter, he  might  have  averted  the  miseries  which  awaited 
him  ;  and  instead  of  marching  to  a  scaffold,  he  might  have 
upheld  the  honor  of  the  throne,  repressed  insurrection, 
and  restored  the  kingdom  to  tranquillity,  happiness,  and 
prosperity.  — Lempriere's  Biog.  Die 


LA  FAYETTE  37$ 


hackney  coach  was  waiting  to  receive  her  ;  the  officer 
offered  his  hand  to  assist  her  into  the  carriage,  but  she 
refused  his  assistance. 

On  her  arrival  at  the  Conciergerie,  the  barking  of 
two  mastiffs  threw  her  into  convulsions,  from  which 
she  did  not  recover  till  next  morning.  Her  cell, 
which  was  half  under  ground,  was  but  eight  feet  square, 
with  a  straw  mattrass  in  one  corner.  Soon  after  her 
arrival,  she  petitioned  the  municipality  for  a  few  ne- 
cessaries, which  were  refused. 

Grief  and  agitation  had  brought  on  a  premature  old 
age ;  her  beauty  was  gone.  The  officers  of  the  po- 
lice, to  gratify  a  barbarous  curiosity,  and  their  own 
avarice,  daily  introduced  into  her  cell  a  number  of 
people,  to  gaze  on  the  ruins  of  degraded  royalty. 

In  this  miserable  abode,  the  Queen  had  been  con* 
fined  two  months,  when  the  end  of  her  sufferings  ap- 
proached. An  act  of  accusation  was  drawn  up,  full  of 
absurd  allegations,  and  outrageous  calumnies. 

Having  been  summoned  before  the  revolutionary 
tribunal,  she  was  interrogated,  respecting  the  facts  al- 
leged. In  her  examination,  she  displayed  the  utmost 
firmness,  answering  with  such  force  and  precision,  as 
frequently  retorted  the  accusation  on  her  judges. 
Counsel  were  then  assigned  her,  and  the  next  day 
fixed  for  her  trial. 

On  the  15th  of  October,  she  was  again  brought  be- 
fore the  tribunal,  and  witnesses  were  called  to  support 
the  various  charges.  Most  of  these  were  brought 
from  the  prisons,  and  knew  their  only  chance  of  life 
depended  on  their  allegations  against  the  Queen,  who 
displayed  the  greatest  presence  of  mind,  and  frequent- 
ly gave  instances  of  that  forcible  style  of  laconic  ex- 
pression, suite  a  to  insulted  majesty.  The  following 
will  serve  as  examples  : 

Observation.  "  That  it  was  she  who  taught  Louis 
Capet  that  art  of  profound  dissimulation,  by  which  he 
had  too  long  deceived  the  French  nation,  who  did  not 


380  MEMOIRS  OP 


Suppose  that  perfidy  and  villainy  could  be  carried  to 
Such  a  degree." 

Answer.  "  Yes,  the  people  have  been  deceived, — most 
truelly  deceived;  but  not  by  me  or  my  husband." 

Q.   By  whom  then  has  the  people  been  deceived  ? 

A.  By  those  who  felt  it  their  interest,  but  it  never  was' 
ours. 

Q.  Not  content  with  dilapidating  the  finances  of 
France  for  your  intrigues  and  pleasures,  you  have  sent 
thousands  of  millions  to  the  Emperor,  to  serve  against 
the  nation  that  fostered  you. 

A.  Never  :  I  know  this  mean  artifice  has  often  been 
employed  to  my  prejudice,  I  loved  my  husband  too 
sincerely  to  dilapidate  the  treasures  of  his  country. 
My  brother  did  not  want  money  from  F ranee  ;  and 
from  the  same  principle  which  attached  me  to  France, 
I  would  not  have  given  him  any. 

The  interrogatories  being  closed,  Tainville  moved 
for  judgment:  the  Queen  was  taken  out  of  the  hall; 
and  Herman,  the  president,  summed  up  the  evidence. 

The  jury  retired  about  half  an  hour,  and  returned  a 
verdict  of  guilty. 

The  Queen  was  then  brought  back,  and  asked  if  she 
had  any  objection  to  make  to  the  sentence  ;  but  con- 
scious of  having  defended  herself  rather  with  a  view 
to  manifest  innocence,  than  avoid  condemnation,  she 
bowed  in  token  of  submission.  Her  counsel  declined 
making  any  opposition.  The  president  then  pro- 
nounced sentence  of  death,  and  immediate  execution. 

It  was  half  past  four  o'clock,  when  the  Queen  was 
remanded  to  prison,  and  put  into  the  cell  of  condemned 
criminals.  At  five,  the  generale  was  beat.  At  seven, 
the  whole  armed  force  was  drawn  out,  and  cannon 
placed  on  the  bridges,  and  in  the  squares.  At  half 
past  eleven,  the  Queen  was  placed  in  a  tumbril,  with 
her  back  to  the  horse,  a  mode  of  conveyance  reckon- 
ed peculiarly  infamous  5  her  neck  and  shoulders  bare, 
and  her  hands  tied  behind  her.     By  her  side  was  se&t 


LA  FAYETTE.  3S* 


ed  the  curate  of  St.  Landrey,  (a  constitutional  priestf 
with  whom  she  could  not  communicate,)  and  the  ex- 
ecutioner. She  maintained  her  usual  firmness  and 
Courage  the  whole  way.  When  she  ascended  the 
scaffold,  she  looked  towards  the  garden  of  the  Tuile- 
ries  with  some  appearance  of  agitation.  The  execu- 
tioner performed  his  office.  Her  head  was  displayed 
to  the  multitude,  her  corpse  interred  like  that  of  her 
husband,  in  the  church-yard  of  la  Madelaine,  and  the 
grave  filled  up  with  quicklime.* 

*  Marie  Antoinette,  Queen  of  France,  Arch-Duchess  of 
Austria,  daughter  of  the  Emperor  Francis  I.  and  of  Maria 
Theresa,  was  born  at  Vienna,  2d  Nov.  1765.  On  the  16th 
May,  1770,  she  married  the  Dauphin  of  France,  afterwards 
Louis  XVI.  and  her  arrival  in  France  was  celebrated  with 
every  demonstration  of  public  joy.  On  that  remarkable  oc- 
casion, however,  it  was  observed  by  those  who  seek  for  ca- 
lamitous events  in  the  fortuitous  accidents  of  time,  that  the 
two  tempestuous  storms  of  thunder  and  rain  which  prevailed, 
forebode  her  future  misfortunes,  and  on  the  festivities  of  the 
city  of  Paris,  on  the  30th  of  the  same  month,  more  than 
1200  persons  were  crushed  to  death  by  the  falling  of  a  tem- 
porary building  erected  on  the  occasion,  and  numbers  per- 
ished in  the  waters  of  the  Seine,  by  being  precipitated  from 
the  Pont  Royal.  These  melancholy  accidents  were  allevia- 
ted as  much  as  possible  by  the  humanity  of  the  foreign  Prin- 
cess, who  sent  all  her  money  to  the  lieutenant  of  police,  for 
the  relief  of  the  unfortunate  sufferers,  and  every  where  con- 
ciliated the  affection  and  the  esteem  of  the  people.  Other 
acts  of  charity  have  been  recorded  to  her  honour,  and  form 
some  of  the  most  pleasing  subjects,  which  employed  the 
pencil  of  Dagoti,  and  on  the  death  of  Louis  XV.,  when  ac* 
cording  to  ancient  usage,  a  tax  is  contributed  by  the  people 
for  the  girdle  of  the  new  Queen,  as  if  is  called,  Maria  nobly' 
declined  the  compliment.  In  the  severe  frost  of  1788,  she 
contributed  much  to  the  relief  of  the  suffering  poor,  and  her 
munificence  was  acknowledged  by  the  gratitude  of  the  Paris* 
ians,  who  erected  a  pyramid  of  snow  in  the  street  of  St.  Ho« 
nore,  to  her  honour.    These  marks  of  respect  were  nearly  £fS 


382  MEMOIRS  OF 

The  life  of  the  Princess  Elizabeth  had  been  so  vir- 
tuous, so  beneficent,  so  exempt  from  reproach,  that 

Q-ansitory  as  the  snowy  pyramid  ;  Antoinette,  unfortunately 
surrounded  by  flatterers,  who  fanned  her  pleasures,  and  gra-* 
tified  her  inclinations,  wa*  represented  as  voluptuous  and 
Criminal,  and  the  celebrated  trial  concerning  the  necklace. 
Served  iu  some  degree  to  raise  the  indignation  of  the  public 
against  her  conduct.  The  poverty  f  the  treasury  was  in- 
vidiously attributed  to  her  extravagance ;  but  though  she 
was  too  liberal  in  her  expenses,  nothing  criminal  could  be 
proved  against  her.  As  if  foreseeing  the  calamities  of  the 
State,  she  opposed  with  all  her  influence,  the  convocation  of 
the  states,  which  was  to  lead  her  and  her  husband  to  the 
Scaffold ;  but  though  calumniated  and  insulted,  she  main- 
(ained  her  dignity,  and  made  the  happiness  of  her  husband 
the  first  wish  of  her  heart.  The  ferocious  events  of  the 
revolution  brou.ht  on  the  6th  of  October,  when  the  sangui- 
nary cannibals  of  Paris  appeared  at  Versailles,  threatening 
aloud  that  they  would  tear  her  to  pieces.  The  doors  of  her 
apartment  were  battered  down  and  the  bed  from  which  she 
had  just  escaped  was  pierced  through  with  a  thousand  stabs  j 
yet  in  the  midst  of  this  dreadful  attack,  Antoinette  exhibited 
her  usual  serenity,  and  presenting  herself  alone  on  the  bal- 
cony, she  changed,  by  her  noble  demeanor,  the  fury  of  the 
populace  into  admiration  and  shouts  of  applause.  Forced  to 
accompany  the  King  to  Paris,  in  a  journey  of  six  hours,, 
while  the  heads  of  two  of  her  murdered  body  guards  were 
raised  on  pikes  by  the  side  of  her  carriage,  and  while  in- 
sults, threats  and  blasphemies  every  moment  rent  the  air,  she 
preserved  die  same  undaunted  courage.  After  the  flight  to 
Varennes,  her  magnanimity  did  not  desert  her,  and  when 
questioned  by  the  insidious  deputies,  she  replied  with  becom- 
ing dignity.  On  the  20th  June  and  the  1 0th  August,  1792^ 
those  days  of  horror  and  anarchy,  she  again  saw  herself  in- 
sulted, and  with  difficulty  saved  from  the  hands  of  assassins, 
and  in  the  Assembly,  she  heard  unmoved  the  decrees  whicfi 
robbed  the  monarch  of  his  throne,  and  which  called  on  the 
roost  worthless  of  his  subjects  to  try  him  as  a  criminal.  She 
no  sooner  heard  of  the  condemnation  of  her  husband,  than 
she  congratulated  him  on  the  termination  of  his  sufferings,; 


LA  FAYETTE.  383 


even  the  infamous  faction  -of  Robespierre  found  some 
difficulty  in  framing  her  act  of  accusation.     At  lengthj 


and  after  parting  from  him  in  an  agony  of  grief,  her  only 
request  to  his  murderers  was,  to  give  her  a  suit  of  raourningr 
which  she  wore  till  her  own  fate  was  decided.  That  she 
might  not  feel  the  comforts  of  the  afflicted,  in  sharing  her 
sorrows  with  her  family,  she  was  torn  from  her  son,  4th 
July,  1793,  and  a  month  after,  an  armed  force  entered  her 
cell  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  and  forced  her  from  her  bed 
of  straw  to  a  low  and  damp  dungeon.  On  the  3d  of  Octo^ 
ber,  she  was  carried  before  the  revolutionary  tribunal,  and 
accused  of  squandering  the  public  money,  and  of  exhausting 
the  treasury  to  enrich  her  brother  the  Emperor,  and  of  hold- 
ing a  traitorous  correspondence  with  the  enemies  of  her 
country  ;  but  the  crimination  could  not  be  proved,  and  her 
sufferings  failed  not  to  excite  interest  in  her  favour,  even 
among  her  prejudiced  judges.  It  was  then  that  the  miscre- 
ants charged  the  unhappy  Queen  with  attempts  to  corrupt 
the  morals  of  her  own  son  ;  a  scandalous  imputation,  which 
roused  all  her  feelings ;  I  appeal,  exclaimed  she,  in  a  burst 
of  noble  indignation,  I  appeal  to  all  mothers,  whether  an  ac« 
{ion  so  odious  is  possible.  Nothing,  however,  could  avail, 
she  retired  fatigued  to  her  dungeon,  after  being  detained  18 
hours  before  her  cruel  judges,  and  the  following  morning,  at 
11,  she  was  summoned  to  ascend  the  cart,  which  was  to 
conduct  her  to  the  scaffold.  She  obeyed  with  dignity,  and 
in  profound  silence,  and  after  viewing  with  unusual  attention 
as  she  passed,  the  palace  of  the  Tuileries,  the  former  scene 
of  her  greatness  and  her  pleasures,  she  mounted  the  scaffold 
with  precipitation,  and  falling  on  her  knees,  prayed  for  foi- 
giveness  on  her  murderers,  and  bidding  adieu  to  her  absent 
children,  to  whose  father  she  was  again  to  be  united,  she  laid 
down  her  head  on  the  fatal  machine,  and  lifting  up  her  eyes 
to  heaven,  closed  them  in  death,  16th  Oct.  1793.  She  was 
then  near  38,  but  it  is  remarkable,  that  her  misfortunes  had 
changed  the  colour  of  her  hair  to  a  silvery  white,  and  her 
countenance,  which,  with  every  feature  of  beauty,  once 
beamed  benignity  and  love,  had  assumed  an  aspect  of  de- 
jection and  settled  melancholy,  and  she  had  nearly  lost  the 
use  of  one  of  her  eyes,  from  the  damp  and  unwholesome  air 


384  MEMOIRS  OF 


she  was  accused  of  having  dressed  the  wounds  of  some 
federes,  whom  the  Marcellois  had  wantonly  attacked 
on  their  arrival  in  Paris  ;  that  she  had  sent  her  dia- 
monds to  the  Count  d'Artois  ;  and  that  since  the 
death  of  the  King,  she  had  treated  the  young  Prince 
with  distinctions  due  to  royalty. 

Her  answers  to  the  interrogatories  put  to  her,  were 
frank,  and  obviously  true.  As  a  last  effort,  she  was 
asked,  "  Whether  she  had  not  comforted  her  nephew 
with  the  hopes  of  succeeding  to  his  father's  throne  fM 
She  replied,  "  I  have  conversed  familiarly  with  that 
unfortunate  child,  who  has  many  claims  to  my  affec- 
tion ;  and  I  gave  him  all  those  consolations  which  ap- 
peared to  me  likely  to  reconcile  him  to  the  loss  of  his 
parents."  This  answer  was  construed  into  an  ac- 
knowledgment of  a  plot  "to  build  up  the  wrecks  of  a 
subverted  throne,  by  deluging  it  with  the  blood  of 
the  patriots."  On  this  observation,  the  Princess  was 
condemned,  without  a  single  witness  being  examined. 

Twenty-four  persons  were  tried  and  condemned  at 
the  same  time,  for  the  same  conspiracy,  and  all  were 
executed  the  same  day.     The  Princess  suffered  last. 

to  which  she  was  exposed.  Her  body  was  thrown  into  the 
Magdalen  church-yard,  and  immediately  consumed  witli 
quicklime.  In  the  powers  of  her  mind,  Antoinette  had  been 
carefully  cultivated  ;  she  spoke  French  with  purity,  and 
the  Italian  as  her  native  tongue,  and  she  was  so  well  acquain- 
ted with  Latin,  that  when  twice  addressed  in  that  language, 
she  made  an  immediate  extemporaneous  reply  in  the  same 
language,  and  with  elegance.  She  was  well  versed  in  geo- 
graphy, and  had  bestowed  also  much  time  on  the  reading  of 
history,  khe  had  four  children,  Maria  Theresa  Charlotte, 
born  1 778,  who  married  her  cousin  the  Duke  of  Angouleme, 
Louis,  born  1781,  who  died  1789,  Charles  Louis,  horn  1785, 
who  died  1793,  and  a  daughter  who  died  an  infant.  Mer 
life  has  been  published  by  various  authors,  bu:  that  of  Mad, 
Guenard,  3  vols.  12mo.  is  recommended  by  the  French  bi- 
ographers.— Lempriere's  Biog.  Dictionary. 


LA  FAYETTE.  .,85 


Her  conduct  on  her  trial  and  on  the  scaffold,  till  the 
moment  of  her  death,  was  calculated  to  prove  the 
tirmness  and  composure  which  religion  can  commu- 
nicate to  a  mind  naturally  timid. 

The  young  Prince,  after  the  most  brutal  treatment. 
and  deprivation  of  every  comfort,  expired  in  prison, 
not  without  strong  suspicion  of  his  fate  having  been 
accelerated  by  poison. 

From  the  time  of  the  King's  imprisonment  to  hi? 
death,  the  faction  self-styled  National  Convention, 
constantly  kept  their  sittings,  for  the  purpose  of  pas- 
sing and  executing  the  most  inhuman  decrees. 

Frorti  the  first  sitting,  two  parties  arose,  whose  in- 
creasing violence  towards  each  other,  was  the  cause  of 
destruction  to  almost  every  member  of  this  bloody 
tribunal.  Brissot,  Petion,  and  Vergniaux  were  at  the 
head  of  the  Gironde  party  :  and  Robespierre,  Danton, 
Marat,  Chabot  and  Couthon  headed  that  of  the  Moun- 
tain. The  latter  party,  by  a  system  of  intrigue,  were 
the  most  popular.  By  such  men  as  these,  France 
was  governed,  and  although  they  quarrelled  among; 
themselves,  when  the  interest  of  an  individual,  or  a 
party  belonging  to  their  own  body  was  concerned,  yet, 
when  a  decree  was  offered,  touching  the  life  or  pro 
perty  of  a  royalist,  or  which  affected  the  "  interest  of 
the  republic,"  as  they  termed  it,  they  were  generally 
united. 

This  Convention,  as  it  will  now  be  called,  passed  a 
decree  of  fraternity,  by  which  assistance  was  offered 
to  any  nation  desirous  of  obtaining  its  freedom  ;  and  ' 
the  Generals^  at  the  head  of  their  armies,  were  em- 
powered to  protect  such  foreign  citizens,  as  had  suf- 
fered, or  might  suffer,  in  the  cause  of  freedom. 

As  this  decree  struck  at  the  root  of  all  European 
governments,  and  tended  to  encourage  treason,  and 
foment  civil  discord,  England  joined  Prussia  and 
Austria,  and  declared  war  against  France.  On  the 
31st  of  May,  the  Mountain  faction  planned  a  d 

33 


386  MEMOIRS  OF 


of  accusation  against  the  Gironde  party.  The  com- 
mand of  the  national  guard  was  given  to  Henriot,  one 
of  the  Mountain  party,  who  surrounded  the  Conven- 
tion with  60,000  men.  The  tocsin  was  sounded,  the 
generale  beat,  and  the  whole  city  of  Paris  was  in  the 
most  dreadful  consternation.  Meantime,  the  Moun- 
tain sent  a  deputation  to  the  Convention,  demanding 
the  heads  of  twenty-two  members  of  the  Gironde. 
The  members  named,  were  immediately  seized  and 
sent  to  prison,  to  await  their  trial. 

The  imprisonment  of  these  members  gave  Robes- 
pierre and  his  party  a  decided  ascendancy  in  the  Con- 
vention, and  the  will  of  this  faction  now  became  the 
law  of  France.  Many  of  the  deputies  of  the  Conven- 
tion immediately  escaped  from  Paris,  and  took  refuge 
in  their  own  departments.  But  they  were  hunted 
from  place  to  place  ;  some  fell  into  the  hands  of  their 
enemies,  and  suffered  on  the  scaffold  ;  some  perished 
by  famine  ;  some  committed  suicide,  and  few  escaped, 
after  suffering  the  most  dreadful  privations. — A  just 
and  speedy  punishment,  for  having  dipped  their  hands 
into  the  blood  of  their  King  and  Queen. 

The  despotism  of  France  now  divided  itself  into 
two  councils,  one  called  the  Committee  of  Public 
Safety,  and  the  other  the  Committee  of  General  Safe- 
ty' ..         . 

The  object  of  this  faction  seemed  to  be,  the  extermi- 
nation of  every  thing  great  or  valuable  in  society.  If  a 
father  afforded  any  support  to  his  exiled  son  ;  if  a 
daughter,  from  her  dungeon,  wrote  to  her  agonized 
mother ;  this  bloody  tribunal  doomed  them  to  the 
scaffold,  while  rewards  were  given  to  those  who  be- 
trayed their  nearest  connexions  to  death  ! 

The  Jacobins  required  that  terror  should  be  the 
order  of  the  day ;  and  that  the  law  ordaining  that 
members  should  be  heard  before  passing  an  accusa- 
tion against  them,  should  be  repealed.  The  forms  of 
trial  were  totally  disregarded,  and  the  victims  whosf* 


LA  FAYETTE.  387 


lives  were  required,  were  insulted  by  a  pretence  of  a 
trial  by  jury.  It  was,  in  fact,  a  cruel  mockery,  to  give 
the  name  of  jury  to  a  number  of  men  permanently 
established  in  their  situation  ;  not  elected  by  the  pris- 
oner, or  subject  to  be  challenged  ;  deliberating  in 
public,  and  pronouncing,  separately,  their  opinions 
aloud.  Their  deliberations  were  a  mere  farce,  for 
some  of  the  judges  daily  attended  Robespierre,  with 
a  list,  from  which  he  marked  out  a  certain  number 
with  a  cross,  and  they  were  devoted  to  certain  de- 
struction. The  powers  of  this  tribunal  were  so  ex- 
tensive, that  it  was  almost  impossible  for  innocence  to 
escape.  The  only  punishment  they  pronounced  was 
death,  and  that  was  applied  to  such  indefinite  crimes 
as,  favouring  the  immunity  of  aristocracy  ;  calumnia- 
ting patriotism  ;  seeking  to  vilify  the  revolutionary 
tribunal ;  to  corrupt  the  public  mind  and  conscience  ; 
and  stopping  the  progress  of  revolutionary  principles. 
No  witnesses  were  heard.  The  rule  of  the  sentence 
was  the  conscience  of  the  jurors.  No  person  denoun- 
cing another,  was  obliged  to  assign  his  motives,  to 
discover  his  name,  or  place  of  abode.  The  party 
denounced,  was  arrested  without  proof,  insulted  by 
the  court,  and  condemned  without  mercy. 

Who  could  describe  the  horrors  which  at  this  period 
atained  the  soil  of  France  ?  What  narration  could 
convey  an  adequate  idea  ?  A  recapitulation  of  the  ca- 
ses of  the  various  sufferers,  would  fill  volumes,  with- 
out exhibiting  a  clear  picture  of  the  horror,  distraction, 
and  desolation  that  pervaded  the  country. 

The  external  profession  of  religion,  that  corrector 
of  the  heart,  and  consolation  in  affliction,  was  abolish- 
ed by  a  public  decree.  The  doctrine,  that  death  is 
an  eternal  sleep,  was  publicly  avowed,  and  an  attempt 
made  to  substitute  for  Christianity  a  sort  of  metaphysi- 
cal Paganism  :  thereason  they  had  so  abused,  and  the 
liberty  they  had  so  outraged,  were  exalted  as  deities. 
ibr  the  maddened  populace  to  worship  ! 


388  MEMOIRS  OF 


Meantime,  the  Courts  of  London  and  Vienna  took 
measures  to  bring  a  large  body  of  troops  into  the  field, 
for  the  purpose  of  crushing  this  terrible  faction. 

The  French  convention,  although  constantly  passing 
decrees  against  the  lives  of  their  own  citizens,  were 
also  making  immense  preparations  to  repel  foreign  in- 
vasion. The  expenses  of  government  were  incalcu- 
lable. The  committee  of  surveilance,  (that  host  of 
spies)  was  maintained  at  an  expense  of  nearly  thirty- 
two  millions  sterling  a  year.  Cities  were  crowded 
with  manufactories  of  saltpetre,  towns  were  converted 
into  founderies,  and  palaces  into  arsenals,  to  supply  the 
elements  of  destruction.  The  people  were  robbed  of 
the  necessaries  of  life,  and  their  provisions  taken  un- 
der the  law  of  requisition,  to  supply  the  army. 

At  length,  in  the  fall  of  1 793,  the  allied  armies,  con- 
sisting of  Austrians,  British,  Dutch,  Hanoverians. 
Prussians  and  Hessians,  assembled  on  the  frontiers  of 
France,  and  began  an  invasion  of  her  territories.  But 
notwithstanding  the  advantages  at  first  gained  by  the 
allies,  it  was  evident  that  the  immense  numbers,  and 
systematic  exertions  of  the  republican  armies  would 
finally  preponderate,  and  after  repeated  losses,  the 
allied  armies  were  compelled  to  retreat  in  every  di- 
rection. 

At  Paris,  Robespierre  having  dipped  his  hand  in 
the  blood  of  thousands  of  innocent  victims,  at  last 
came  to  the  scaffold  himself.  On  the  27th  of  July. 
1794,  Varennes  had  the  courage  to  accuse  Robes- 
pierre openly  before  the  convention,  After  having 
recounted  with  energy  his  acts  of  oppression  and 
blood,  he  ended  by  moving  "  that  Robespierre  and 
his  creatures  be  immediately  arrested."  This  motion 
was  passed  amidst  tumults  of  applause.  Barrere. 
chief  of  the  committee  of  public  safety,  joined  without 
reserve  in  the  invectives  against  the  fallen  tyrant. 
Robespierre  was  petrified  with  horror  and  amazement, 
thinking  himself  beyond  the  reach  of  the  law.     Hen- 


LA  FAYETTE.  389 


riot,  one  of  his  creatures,  being  commander  of  the  na- 
tional guards,  and  himself  included  in  the  decree  of 
accusation,  attempted  his  rescue,  but  his  soldiers  for- 
sook him.  After  a  fruitless  resistance,  several  of  the 
outlawed  attempted  to  kill  themselves.  Two  succeed- 
ed, and  Robespierre  was  found  with  a  pistol  in  his 
hand,  which  he  discharged  on  the  entrance  of  his  pur- 
suers. He  was  fired  on,  and  one  shot  wounded  him  in 
the  head  and  the  other  broke  his  jaw.  In  this  situation 
he  was  carried  to  the  revolutionary  tribunal,  with 
twenty-one  of  his  accomplices,  and  from  thence  to  the 
place  of  execution.  He  suffered  last,  but  remained 
speechless  and  stupified  with  the  horrors  of  the  scene. 

His  death  occasioned  the  greatest  rejoicings,  among 
the  populace,  who  followed  him  to  the  place  of  exe- 
cution. He  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-six ;  and  his 
death  afforded  a  most  ample  vindication  of  eternal 
justice.  He  who  had  shed  blood  with  such  profusion, 
went  to  the  scaffold  covered  with  his  own  blood ;  he 
who  had  banished  from  France  the  sentiment  of  human- 
ity, was  in  his  last  moments  overwhelmed  with  scorn, 
derision,  and  cruelty  ;  he,  whose  life  had  been  a  scene 
of  perfidy  and  ingratitude,  died  renounced  by  all,  and 
was  led  to  the  execution  without  ceremony  and  with- 
out trial. 

After  the  death  of  this  bloody  tyrant  and  his  asso- 
ciates, an  alteration  and  melioration  took  place  in  the 
government  of  France.  The  Mountain  party  were 
entirely  abolished,  and  the  jacobin  club  broken  up. — 
At  the  same  time,  thousands  were  released  from  pris- 
on, who  would  have  perished  on  the  scaffold,  had  not 
this  terrible  faction  been  abolished.  The  royal  party 
at  La  Vendee,  who  had  taken  arms  against  the  repub- 
licans, were  now  offered  an  amnesty.  So  terrible  had 
been  the  destruction  of  these  people,  that  Henriot  ex- 
ultinglv  declared  before  the  convention,  that  of  eighty 
thousand  who  had  taken  arms  against  the  republic, 
not  a  single  individual  remained  alive  ! 

33* 


390  MEMOIRS  OF 


The  war  with  the  allies  was  attended  with  signal 
successes  to  the  French  arms.  At  no  period  of  the 
history  of  France  had  so  many  conquests  been  made 
as  at  the  beginning  of  the  revolution.  A  list  of  them 
was  hung  in  the  hall  of  the  Convention,  from  which  it 
appeared  that  the  republic  had  taken,  and  were  in 
possession  of,  ten  provinces  in  the  Austrian  Nether- 
lands ;  the  Seven  United  Provinces  ;  the  bishopries 
of  Liege,  Worms,  and  Spires  ;  the  electorates  of 
Treves,  Cologne  and  Mentz ;  the  duchy  of  Deux 
Ponts  ;  the  Palatinate  ;  and  the  duchies  of  Juliers  and 
Cleves  in  the  North,  and  in  the  South  they  had  made 
the  conquest  of  the  duchy  of  Savoy,  with  the  Princi- 
palities of  Nice  and  Monaco  in  Italy. 

The  effect  of  such  a  series  of  successes,  tended  to 
weaken  the  coalition,  and  discourage  all  hopes  of 
crushing  the  republic.  The  grand  duke  of  Tuscany, 
iherefore,  acknowledged  the  new  government  of 
France  in  1795.  He  was  soon  followed  by  the  King 
of  England,  who,  as  elector  of  Hanover^  notified  his 
accession  to  the  treaty  between  France  and  Prussia, 
and  ordered  all  armed  emigrants  to  quit  his  Germanic 
territory. 

These  successes  over  their  foreign  foes  did  not  how- 
ever tend  to  unite  the  internal  dissensions  with  which 
the  capital  was  constantly  torn.  It  was  therefore  mov- 
ed in  the  convention  that  an  executive  power  had  be- 
come necessary  to  the  safety  of  the  nation.  After  long 
discussions  the  act  was  passed  on  the  23d  of  August, 
1 795.  By  this  act  the  legislative  power  was  vested  in 
two  councils.  The  Legislative  Council,  by  whom  the 
laws  were  proposed,  and  the  Senate,  by  whom  they 
were  confirmed.  One  third  of  each  council  was  to  be 
chosen  every  year.  The  executive  power  was  dele- 
gated to  a  directory  of  five  members,  one  of  which  was 
to  go  out,  by  rotation,  every  year,  and  be  replaced  by 
a  new  one.  Resistance  was  made,  as  usual,  to  this 
r.cw  constitution,  and  several  sanguinary  tumults  en- 


LA  FAYETTE.  39: 


sued  ;  but  the  convention  was  triumphant,  the  govern- 
ment was  established,  and  the  palace  of  Luxembourg 
appointed  for  the  residence  of  the  executive  power. 
The  convention  then  dissolved  itself. 

Meantime  the  Austrians  gained  several  victories 
over  the  arms  of  the  Republic,  and  retook  a  consider- 
able portion  of  their  conquest  at  the  North.  The 
French  had  also  been  unfortunate  at  sea,  having  lost 
near  fifty  ships  during  the  year. 

In  1796,  hostilities  were  doomed  to  take  a  wider 
range,  and  the  unoffending  inhabitants  of  the  Alps  and 
Tyrolese  mountains,  as  well  as  those  on  the  banks  of 
the  Danube  and  Po,  were  destined  to  experience  all 
the  horrors  of  war. 

The  armies  of  the  allies  were  commanded  by  Gen- 
eral Colli  and  Baron  Beaulieu  ;  while  the  directory 
of  France  placed  at  the  head  of  their  forces  General 
Buonaparte,  who  at  this  time  was  almost  unknown  in 
the  army,  and  who  was  entirely  indebted  to  Barras; 
one  of  the  directors,  for  this  elevation. 

As  soon  as  the  snow  disappeared,  Bonaparte  pre- 
pared to  take  the  field,  and  hostilities  began  by  an  at- 
tack of  the  Austrians  on  the  French  at  Valtri,  in  which 
they  were  successful.  But  Bonaparte  having  sent 
General  Massena  to  gain  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  this 
circumstance  threw  the  Austrians  into  the  utmost  con- 
fusion. They  fled  and  were  pursued  to  Millesimo, 
where  a  general  engagement  took  place,  attended 
with  great  slaughter,  and  ended  with  a  loss  to  the  Aus- 
trians of  8000  prisoners  and  32  pieces  of  cannon.  A 
truce  was  then  entered  into,  the  conditions  of  which 
tended  to  shew  the  advantage  gained  by  the  French, 
and  the  fallen  fortunes  of  the  monarch. 

The  aristocracy  of  Venice  now  saw  the  necessity  of 
yielding  to  Gallic  democracy  ;  and  in  pursuance  of 
this  policy,  the  eldest  brother  of  the  late  king,  now 
styled  Louis  XVIII.  was  commanded  to  quit  the  Ve- 
netian territory. 


392  MEMOIRS  OF 


On  the  7th  of  May,  Bonaparte  obtained  the  victory 
of  Fombio.  The  dukes  of  Parma  and  Modena  were 
compelled  to  sue  for  peace,  which  was  granted  on 
condition  of  their  paying  ten  millions  of  livres,  and 
giving  up  a  certain  number  of  the  most  valuable  paint- 
ings in  the  world,  to  adorn  the  museum  which  was  now 
begun  in  Paris. 

Bonaparte  then  hastened  to  Lodi,  on  the  river  Ad- 
da, where  rinding  the  bridges  defended  by  the  Austri- 
an artillery,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  make  it  extremely 
hazardous  to  attempt  it,  the  army  halted.  Four  hun- 
dred grenadiers,  however,  in  the  face  of  death,  at- 
tempted to  force  the  passage,  and  about  one  half  were 
instantly  killed.  Bonaparte  then  seized  the  standard, 
and  at  the  head  of  a  number  of  volunteers,  rushed  for- 
ward, and  in  a  moment  the  fate  of  the  day  was  deci- 
ded. 

In  his  despatches  to  the  directory,  Bonaparte  says, 
■;  of  all  the  actions  in  which  the  troops  under  my  com- 
mand have  been  engaged,  none  has  equalled  the  tre- 
mendous passage  of  the  bridge  of  Lodi." 

In  consequence  of  this  success,  Bonaparte  obtained 
possession  of  Pavia,  Milan,  and  the  principal  part  of 
Lombardy.  Soon  after,  Leghorn,  Bologna,  Urbins 
and  Ferrara,  were  added  to  the  list  of  conquests.  Both 
the  Pope  Gt  Rome  and  the  King  of  Naples  now  sued 
for  an  armistice  with  an  enemy  which  carried  con- 
quest or  destruction  wherever  they  went.  It  was 
granted  on  condition  of  his  withdrawing  all  assistance 
from  the  allied  army.  But  the  Pope  was  compelled 
not  only  to  cede  the  towns  already  in  possession  of  the 
French,  but  to  add  Ancona,  together  with  a  contribu- 
tion of  twenty-one  millions  of  francs,  and  a  present  of 
one  hundred  pictures,  statues  and  vases,  to  be  select- 
ed from  the  galleries  at  Rome. 

As  a  minute  detail  of  all  the  campaigns  of  the  revo- 
lution cannot  be  entered  into  in  this  short  account, 
those  under  the  immediate  command  of  Bonaparte 


LA  FAYETTE.  393 


will  be  chiefly  attended  to,  in  order  to  mark  the  prin- 
cipal events  of  his  life. 

In  1797,  Bonaparte,  at  the  opening  of  the  campaign, 
at  several  battles,  took  20,000  Austrians,  killed  6000. 
took  50  pieces  of  cannon,  24  stands  of  colours,  and  all 
the  enemy's  baggage  ;  together  with  the  whole  convoy 
of  grain  and  oxen,  which  it  was  the  intention  of  the 
Austrians  to  have  thrown  into  Mantua.  Mantua,  it- 
self, after  having  been  defended  by  Gen.  Wurmser, 
until  his  troops,  suffering  with  famine,  had  devoured 
all  their  horses  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  conquering 
General. 

Bonaparte  now  published  a  proclamation,  reproach- 
ing the  Pope  with  perfidy,  and  declaring  the  armistice 
at  an  end,  threatening,  at  the  same  time,  to  take  ven- 
geance on  all  who  should  oppose  the  republican  arms, 
he  marched  forward  with  his  army.  After  several 
dreadful  encounters,  the  papal  forces  were  defeated, 
and  Rome  being  in  the  most  alarming  commotion, 
the  Pope  sent  him  a  letter,  written  with  his  own  hand, 
promising  to  subscribe  to  any  reasonable  conditions. 
The  victor,  in  renJy,  expressed  the  most  perfect  es- 
teem for  his  hoi;  iess,  and  only  insisted  that  he  should 
relinquish  the  cuies  Bologna,  Ferrara  and  Romagna, 
and  pay  fifteen  millions  of  livres,  towards  the  expenses 
he  had  been  at  to  bring  his  holiness  to  terms. 

On  the  2nd  of  April,  the  French  attacked  the  Aus- 
trians at  Newmark,  within  thirty-five  leagues  of  Vien- 
na, and  as  usual,  overpowered  them.  The  Emperor 
now  resolved  to  treat  for  peace,  and  a  suspension  of 
hostilities  for  nine  days  was  agreed  on.  On  the  18th, 
the  treaty  of  peace  between  the  Austrians  and  French, 
was  concluded. 

After  such  successes,  Bonaparte  was  received  at 
Paris  with  the  most  rapturous  applause  by  the  people, 
and  with  every  mark  of  consideration  by  the  govern- 
ment. 

In  the  course  of  the  year,  Spain  had  become  (ht 


394  MEMOIRS  OF 


ally  of  France,  and  the  only  formidable  power  the  re- 
public had  now  to  contend  with  was  England. 

As  if  determined  to  give  terms  to  all  Europe,  the 
French  Directory  now  turned  their  eyes  towards  that 
unsubdued  Island,  and  having  appointed  Bonaparte 
General  of  the  '  army  of  England,'  ordered  troops  to 
assemble  on  the  coast  of  the  British  channel.  Wheth- 
er an  attempt  on  England  was  ever  really  intended  or 
not,  is  perhaps  uncertain.  If  so,  it  was  soon  aban- 
doned, and  the  General  sought  victory  in  some  other 
quarter. 

The  civil  history  of  the  Republic  for  this  year,  pre- 
sents as  formerly,  little  else  but  the  violent  collision  of 
parties  ;  faction  supplanting  faction  for  power,  while 
every  principle  of  justice  was  sacrificed.  The  exec- 
utive and  legislative  bodies  were  continually  in  a  state 
of  open  hostility,  and  a  spirit  of  extravagance,  intrigue 
and  corruption,  pervaded  every  department.  In  1 798, 
the  war  in  Italy  was  renewed,  in  consequence  of  the 
assembling  of  a  mob  in  front  of  the  palace  of  Joseph 
Bonaparte,  the  French  Ambassador  at  Rome.  They 
came  to  beg  the  assistance  of  France  to  throw  off  the 
Papal  yoke,  and  to  be  erected  into  a  Republic.  Jo- 
seph, not  being  disposed  to  countenance  so  hopeless 
a  project,  sent  Gen.  Dusshot  to  disperse  the  rabble. 
While  engaged  in  this  service,  Dusshot  was  shot. 
After  a  lapse  of  fourteen  hours,  the  Ambassador,  find- 
ing that  no  measure  had  been  taken  to  avenge  this 
outrage,  or  provide  for  his  own  security,  retired  into 
Tuscany. 

As  soon  as  these  transactions  were  known,  the  peo- 
ple of  Milan  exclaimed,  "  Death  to  the  assassin  Pon- 
tiff!" Troops  were  levied,  artillery  prepared,  and 
a  declaration  published,  in  which  the  odium  of  the. 
murder  was,  very  unjustly,  and  probably  as  an  excuse, 
cast  upon  the  Pope.  The  Directory  transmitted  or- 
ders to  Gen.  Berthier  to  march  to  Rome.  The  castle 
of  St.  Angelo,  in  which  his  holiness  and  cardinals  had 


LA  FAYETTE.  395 


taken  refuge,  surrendered  on  the  first  summons. 
Meantime  the  inhabitants  planted  the  tree  of  liberty  in 
front  of  the  Capitol,  proclaimed  their  independence, 
and  instituted  the  Roman  Republic.  The  Pope  was 
conveyed  to  France,  deposed  and  exiled  ;  and  infirm 
through  age,  he  survived  his  disgrace  only  a  short 
time.     He  died  the  next  year,  aged  82. 

A  war  was  next  declared  against  Switzerland,  whose 
peaceful  inhabitants,  in  their  turn,  were  made  to  ex- 
perience all  the  horrors  of  the  most  rancorous  hostili- 
ty. Near  the  lake  Zug,  the  French  army  being  en- 
ticed into  an  ambuscade,  was  completely  defeated. 
A  treaty  was  then  concluded,  by  which  the  smaller 
cantons  were  to  remain  as  before,  and  not  be  subject 
to  contributions.  But  the  canton  of  Underwalden 
refused  to  submit  on  any  conditions.  This  aroused 
the  vengeance  of  the  tyrannical  Republic.  Fire  and 
sword  were  sent  to  overwhelm  all  who  disobeyed. 
The  inhabitants  were  nearly  exterminated,  and  nei- 
ther age  nor  sex  escaped  the  fury  of  the  soldiers.  The 
country  was  subdued,  after  the  most  unexampled  re- 
sistance, and  Switzerland,  after  enjoying  the  sweets  of 
independence  and  liberty,  for  near  400  years,  was 
compelled  to  submit  to  the  arms  of  France,  and  to 
adopt  the  republican  form  of  government. 

It  was  now,  that  Bonaparte,  having  been  at  war, 
and  made  peace  with  nearly  all  the  nations  of  Europe, 
and  not  being  satisfied  with  his  conquests,  turned  his 
attention  towards  Africa.  The  grand  objects  of  this 
expedition  were  probably,  1st,  to  make  the  name  of 
Bonaparte  equal  in  renown  to  that  of  Alexander  ;  2d, 
to  deprive  the  British  of  their  empire  of  the  east ;  and, 
3d,  to  levy  contributions,  and  establish  tributary  col®- 
nies. 

All  preparations  being  made,  Bonaparte  set  sail, 
on  the  20th  of  May,  1799,  with  a  veteran  army  ot 
40,000  men,  immense  quantities  of  military  stores, 
and  a  large  train  of  artillery.     After  a  passage  of  fif- 


39fi  MEMOIRS  OF 


teen  days,  he  came  in  sight  of  Malta,  where,  to  the 
astonishment  of  the  inhabitants,  he  began  to  land  his 
troops,  and  on  the  12th  of  June,  he  had  command  of 
the  whole  Island. 

Having  appointed  a  provisional  government,  he 
again  proceeded  to  sea,  and  on  the  30th  of  June,  the 
fleet  anchored  in  the  roads  of  Alexandria. 

Here  he  immediately  landed  his  army, and  summon- 
ed this  once  famous  city  to  surrender  :  this  being  dis- 
regarded, the  city  was  taken  by  assault,  and,  in  order 
to  strike  terror  into  the  inhabitants  of  the  whole  coun- 
try at  once,  and  preclude  further  resistance,  a  dread- 
ful slaughter  of  the  inhabitants  took  place  after  they 
had  surrendered.  The  French  now  pursued  their 
victories  until  they  came  in  sight  of  the  Pyramids  of; 
Egypt.  Here  they  found  six  thousand  Mamelukes 
intrenched,  and  ready  to  oppose  them.  Bonaparte 
immediately  gave  an  order  to  charge,  and  after  an 
ineffectual  resistance,  they  were  routed,  then  surroun- 
ded, and  although  they  made  a  furious  defence,  every 
man  was  put  to  the  sword. 

This  action  opened  the  way  to  Cairo  for  the  rapa- 
cious invaders. 

Bonaparte,  to  conciliate  the  confidence  of  the  peo- 
ple, published  proclamations,  declaring  that  he  "  had 
not  come  to  destroy,  but  to  restore  the  rights  of  the 
Mahometans  ;"  and  that  he  himself  believed  in  the 
Prophet  and  the  Koran  ;  that  the  first  article  of  his 
faith  was,  "  there  is  no  God  but  God,  and  Mahomet  is 
his  Prophet."  The  British  government,  as  soon  as  it 
was  known,  that  the  French  were  preparing  a  great 
armament,  issued  orders  to  defeat  the  project,  though 
its  destination  was  still  a  secret. 

Rear  Admiral  Nelson  was  appointed  to  command 
the  British  fleet,  and  ordered  to  follow,  destroy  or 
capture  that  of  the  French,  wherever  it  might  be 
found.  Having  obtained  information  of  the  course  the 
f»nemy  had  taken,  he  proceeded  to  the  coast  of  Egypt. 


LA  FAYETTE.  397 


and  on  the  1 3th  of  August,  he  discovered  the  French 
fleet,  consisting  of  thirteen  sail  of  ships  of  the  line, 
and  a  great  number  of  smaller  vessels,  moored  in  bat- 
tle array  in  the  bay  of  Aboukir.  On  the  then  approach- 
ing  battle,  depended  the  naval  superiority  of  the  two 
rival  nations,  the  renewal  of  the  war  in  Europe,  thee- 
ventual  possession  of  Egypt,  and  perhaps,  of  the  Bri- 
tish empire  in  India. 

The  battle  commenced  in  the  afternoon,  and  con- 
tinued until  10  in  the  evening.  The  conflict  was  one 
of  the  most  obstinate  that  ever  was  fought  on  the  sea. 
The  darkness  was  such,  that  the  only  guide  to  the 
operations  of  the  fleets  was  the  flashes  from  the  guns. 
Admiral  Brieux,  the  commander  of  the  French  fleet-, 
after  receiving  three  wounds  without  quitting  his  post 
was  shot  dead,  and  Admiral  Nelson  was  severely 
wounded.  The  battle  raged  with  the  utmost  fury, 
until  the  L'Orient,  being  on  fire,  and  having  struck 
her  colours,  blew  up.  To  this  dreadful  explosion 
succeeded  the  stillness  of  death.  The  firing  ceased 
on  both  sides.  Many  of  the  ships  on  both  sides  were 
mere  wrecks.  Nelson  was  victorious  ;  and  thus  end- 
ed the  naval  expedition  of  the  Republic  to  Egypt. 

After  the  battle  of  the  Nile,  the  French  army  were 
cut  off  from  all  communication  with  their  native  coun- 
try, but  they  still  persevered  in  the  reduction  of 
Egypt,  which  they  however,  found  infinitely  more  dif- 
tkult  than  was  expected.  The  Mamelukes  exhibited 
astonishing  proofs  of  bravery  and  dexterity  in  oppo- 
sing their  invaders.  But  the  most  dreadful  enemy 
they  had  to  oppose  was  the  plague,  from  which  there 
was  no  retreating,   and  of  which  great  numbers  died. 

Nothing  can  exceed  the  accounts  which  writers  give 
of  the  shocking  barbarities  authorized  by  Bonaparte 
when  in  Egypt,  and  for  no  other  crime  than  attempt- 
ing to  defend  themselves  from  the  ravages  of  a  cruel 
invader,  who  had  come  to  erect  the  standard  of  tyraa* 
34 


398  MEMOIRS  OF 


ny  over  them,  these  wretched  people  were  slaughtered 
and  plundered  without  mercy. 

On  one  occasion,  after  taking  Jaffa  by  assault,  3800 
remained  alive.  Three  days  after,  Bonaparte,  to 
save  the  expense  of  maintaining  them,  ordered  the 
whole  to  be  taken  a  mile  from  the  town,  and  there,  in 
cold  blood,  every  man  was  shot. 

At  another  time,  it  is  said  that,  finding  his  hospitals 
crowded  with  sick,  he  caused  opium  to  be  given  to 
580  of  his  own  sick  and  dying  soldiers,  of  which  they 
all  died  in  one  night. 

A  vast  number  of  French  soldiers  fell  at  the  siege 
of  Acre,  which  was  continued  sixty  days.  At  one 
time  a  breach  was  made,  and  a  large  body  of  soldiers, 
at  the  command  of  Bonaparte,  entered  the  town,  but 
the  Turks  made  such  dreadful  havoc  among  them  with 
their  sabres,  that  those  who  could,  made  safe  their 
retreat,  and  the  siege  was  raised. 

Bounaparte  having  nominated  Gen.  Kleber  his  suc^ 
censor  in  command,  now  took  his  departure  for 
France,  and  having  escaped  the  English  cruizers,  ar- 
rived at  home  in  the  month  of  October. 

During  his  absence,  hostilities  had  again  commen- 
ced in  Europe,  and  the  Emperor  of  Russia  had  joined 
the  coalition  against  the  French  Republic. 

He  was  received  in  the  most  flattering  manner,  and 
a  public  festival  decreed  to  his  honour. 

Soon  after  his  arrival,  it  was  proposed  by  the  exe- 
cutive committee,  that  a  new  constitution  should  be 
formed,  and  that  the  supreme  power  should  be  vested 
in  three  Consuls,  The  consuls  first  chosen,  were 
Buonaparte,  Sieyes,  and  Duroc,  but  the  constitution 
was  altered  before  it  was  carried  into  effect,  so  as  to 
rest  the  sovereignty  in  one  person,  to  be  styled  Chief 
Consul,  and  who  was  to  hold  his  office  for  ten  years. 
Napoleon  Buonaparte  was  then  chosen  Chief  Consul. 

Soon  after  this  appointment,  the  First  Consul,  at 
the  head  of  60,000  men,  left  Paris  to  pursue  his  con- 


LA  FAYETTE.  399 


quests  in  Italy  ;  and  after  having  crossed  the  mountain 
of  Great  St.  Bernard,  with  incredible  labour,  he  met 
the  Austrian  army  at  Marengo.  Here  a  most  obsti- 
nate and  sanguinary  conflict  ensued,  which  ended  in 
the  total  defeat  of  the  Imperial  army,  8000  of  whom 
were  killed,  and  7000  made  prisoners.  A  definitive 
treaty  was  now  signed  at  Luneville,  between  the  Aus- 
trian and  French  governments,  by  which  France  gain- 
ed a  large  extent  of  territory.  On  the  First  Consul's 
return  to  France,  a  plan  was  laid  to  murder  him,  but 
it  did  not  succeed  ;  the  assassins  were  discovered  and 
brought  to  public  execution. 

The  different  states  of  Europe  were  now  eager  to 
solicit  a  peace  with  France,  and  before  the  close  of 
the  year  1801,  Buonaparte  was  at  peace  with  all  the 
world. 

Thus  ended  one  of  the  most  bloody  and  important 
contests  of  modern  times — a  contest  in  which  not  one 
of  the  great  objects  originally  aimed  at  by  any  of  the 
belligerent  powers  was  obtained. 

In  1803,  France  again  declared  war  against  Eng- 
land. This  rupture  was  occasioned  by  an  alleged 
breach  of  the  treaty  of  Ameins,  by  both  nations. — 
"  Soon  after  the  signing  of  the  treaty  in  1801,  the 
First  Consul  sent. a  General  to  Egypt,  Syria,  and  the 
Grecian  Isles,  for  the  purpose  of  persuading  the  inha- 
bitants to  throw  off' the  Turkish  yoke,  and  to  become 
colonies  of  France. 

The  French  also  sent  an  armed  force  into  Switzer- 
land. 

These  acts  the  British  cabinet  declared  were  an  in- 
fringement of  the  treaty. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  First  Consul  accused  Eng- 
land of  breaking  the  same  treaty,  by  keeping  a  British 
garrison  at  Malta. 

On  the  declaration  of  war,  all  the  subjects  of  Great 
Britain  then  in  France,  were  immediately  considered 
prisoners  of  war. 


400  MEMOIRS  OF 


One  of  the  first  hostile  acts  of  the  French  was  to  take 
possession  of  Hanover,  and  to  convert  to  their  own  use 
all  the  military  stores,  artillery  &c.  which  could  be 
found. 

About  this  period,  a  conspiracy  was  formed  to  pre- 
vent Buonaparte's  gaining  unlimited  power,  and  to 
put  an  end  to  his  authority.  It  was  not  proved  thai 
the  designs  were  against  his  life.  Gen.  Moreau,  one 
of  the  conspirators,  was  banished  to  America,  and 
Gem  Pichegru,  another  of  them,  it  was  pretended* 
committed  suicide  in  the  temple  of  the  tower,  where 
he  had  been  confined.  It  is,  however,  most  probable 
that  he  was  assassinated. 

The  unfortunate  Duke  d'Enghien  suffered  soon  af- 
ter. He  resided  in  the  territory  of  the  Elector  of  Ba- 
den, in  privacy  and  peace.  But  he  was  a  prince  of 
the  blood-royal  of  France,  and  this  was  a  warrant  for 
his  condemnation.  He  was  seized  by  a  party  of  French 
dragoons,  put  in  irons,  and  forced  to  travel  night  and 
day  until  they  arrived  at  Vincennes.  Here,  after  a 
mock  trial,  he  was  immediately  taken  out  and  at  one 
o'clock  in  the  morning  shot  by  torch-light  in  the  ditch 
of  the  castle. 

The  First  Consul  had  by  this  time  acquired  unlim- 
ited power  over  the  republic,  but  he  was  ambi- 
tious to  obtain  something  more.  Not  contented  with 
the  Consular  robes  of  republican  dignity,  he  aspired 
to  exchange  them  for  the  emblems  of  Imperial  au- 
thority. Talleyrand  prepared  the  way,  and  on  the 
20th  of  March*  1 804,  the  Senate  directed  a  letter  to 
Buonaparte,  urging  the  necessity  of  again  filling  the 
vacant  throne  of  France. 

Soon  after,  the  President  of  the  Senate  proposed 
the  following  resolutions  : 

1.  "  That  the  government  of  France  should  be  con- 
fided to  one  person  as  Emperor. 

2.  "  That   the   Imperial  government  of  France 
should  be  hereditary  in  the  family  of  Napoleon  Buon 
aparte,  the  First  Consul." 


LA  FAYETTE.  401 


These  resolutions  were  passed  unanimously,  with 
the  exception  of  Carnot,  who  spoke,  and  voted  against 
them. 

The  coronation  of  Buonaparte  took  place  on  Sunday 
the  2d  of  December,  1804,  and  thus  the  very  people 
who  fourteen  years  before  had  murdered  their  King 
and  Queen ;  who  had  in  cold  blood  decreed  death  to 
Princes  and  Princesses,  for  no  other  reason  than  be- 
cause they  detested  all  hereditary  distinctions  ;  who 
had  determined  if  possible  to  exterminate  royalty  from 
the  face  of  the  earth,  and  who  had  offered  to  assist  all 
the  world  in  sacrificing  Monarchs  and  Monarchies,  to 
the  shrine  of  republicanism  and  liberty. — This  people, 
of  their  own  accord,  had  now  created  one  of  the  most 
unbounded  monarchies  on  earth,  and  placed  on  their 
throne  a  man  whom  they  knew  to  be  the  most  ambi- 
tious tyrant  that  ever  the  world  beheld. 

Not  long  after  his  coronation  in  Paris,  the  Empe- 
ror went  to  Milan,  and  there  was  crowned  King  of  It- 
aly. On  this  occasion,  when  Napoleon  had  ascended 
the  steps  of  the  altar,  he  took  the  iron  crown  of  the 
ancient  Kings  of  Lombardy,  and  placing  it  on  his  head, 
said  with  a  loud  voice — u  God  has  given  it  me — let 
them  beware  who  touch  it."  He  then  took  the  crown 
of  Italy,  and  with  the  same  speech  placed  it  on  his 
head,  amid  the  acclamations  of  the  people. 

The  republic  of  Genoa  now  made  a  request  that  the 
Emperor  would  consent  to  be  their  sovereign  also, 
and  this  was  granted. 

These  transactions  excited  great  indignation  in  all 
the  different  courts  of  Europe.  Russia  had  sent  an 
ambassador  to  Paris  to  treat  of  peace.  But  finding 
that  Napoleon  was  annexing  whole  kingdoms  to  his  al- 
ready immense  territories,  and  this  in  direct  violation 
of  a  former  treaty,  Alexander  recalled  his  minister. 

A  league  was  now  formed  between  the  Empires  of 
Russia,  Austria,  and  England,  the  objects  of  which 
were,  1.  The  expulsion  of  the  French  troops  from 
34* 


402  MEMOIRS  OF 


Germany,  2.  The  establishment  of  the  independence 
of  Switzerland  and  Holland.  3.  There-establishment 
of  the  king  of  Sardinia.  4.  The  future  security  of 
the  kingdom  of  Naples,  and  the  evacuation  of  Italy 
by  the  French  troops. 

All  the  different  powers  made  vast  preparations,  and 
a  dreadful  slaughter  was  about  to  commence,  which 
involved  nearly  all  Europe  in  blood,  horror,  and 
mourning. 

The  first  battle  was  fought  at  Wertingen,  where 
4000  men  were  killed  and  made  prisoners  by  the 
French.  The  next  at  Gunsbugh,  where  the  Austrian 
army  was  defeated. 

The  next  great  object  was,  the  investing  of  Ulm, 
which  was  defended  by  the  famous  general  Mack,  with 
30,000  men.  This  place,  which  was  viewed  as  im- 
pregnable, and  of  the  utmost  consequence,  was  sur- 
rendered to  Napoleon  in  person,  on  the  17th  of  Octo- 
ber,  1805. 

Bonaparte  now  advanced  towards  Vienna,  and  not- 
withstanding the  Russians  assisted  the  Austrians,  in 
opposing  him,  he  made  his  grand  entrance  to  the  capi- 
tal of  Austria,  at  the  head  of  his  army,  on  the  14th  of 
November.  Here  he  found  2000  pieces  of  cannon,  and 
100,000  muskets.  In  a  few  days  the  allied  army  col- 
lected in  great  force.  It  consisted  of  80.000  Russians 
commanded  by  Alexander  in  person,  and  25,000  Aus- 
trians under  the  command  of  the  Emperor  Joseph  of 
Austria. 

The  Emperor  Napoleon's  army  consisted  of  100,000 
chosen  men. 

These  armies,  with  the  respective  Emperors  at  their 
heads,  were  posted  near  Austerlitz.  On  the  2d  of 
December  the  Russians  commenced  the  attack  with 
great  impetuosity,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  action  be- 
came general,  and  raged  with  horrid  fury.  After  va- 
rious successes  on  both  sides,  victory  declared  in  fa- 
vour of  the  French.     The  plains  of  Austerlitz  were 


LA  FAYETTE.  4(K 


one  continued  gore,  and  enormous  heaps  of  dead  bo- 
dies lay  piled  on  each  other.  Of  the  Russians,  15,000 
were  slain,  and  near  20,000  made  prisoners.  The 
Austrians  lost  6000  killed,  180  pieces  of  ordnance, 
and  40  stands  of  colours  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
French. 

When  this  news  reached  Paris,  the  Senate  voted  a 
triumphal  monument  to  be  erected  to  Napoleon  the 
Great. 

This  battle  was  followed  by  an  armistice,  and  after- 
wards a  peace. 

With  a  view  to  humble  the  king  of  Prussia,  who  had 
been  at  peace  with  him.  Bonaparte  bestowed  on  his 
brother-in-law,  Murat,  the  duchies  of  Berg  and  Cleves, 
contrary  to  treaty.  \n  consequence  of  this,  Freder- 
ic declared  war  against  Napoleon,  and  entered  the 
field  against  him  with  150.000  men.  Napoleon  met 
the  Prussians  at  Jena,  and  a  most  sanguinary  battle 
followed,  in  which  the  Prussians  were  entirely  defeat- 
ed. Near  20,000  of  the  royal  army  were  left  on  the 
field  of  battle,  and  an  immense  number  taken  prison- 
ers, among  whom  there  were  twenty  general  officers. 
Sixty  standards  and  three  hundred  pieces  of  artillery 
also  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  French.  The  king  him- 
self escaped  with  difficulty,  attended  with  a  small  bo- 
dy of  cavalry,  and  fled  to  Koningsburg.  A  few  days 
after,  the  Emperor  of  the  French  made  his  public  en- 
try into  the  capital  of  Prussia,  with  great  pomp  and 
parade. 

In  the  month  of  February,  1807,  the  Russians  en- 
camped at  Eylau.  Here  another  bloody  engagement 
took  place,  in  which  the  Russians,  after  having  dis- 
played the  most  determined  bravery,  were  finally 
routed  by  the  Napoleon  army.  On  the  following  day 
the  battle  ground  presented  a  most  awful  spectacle. — 
Within  the  space  of  one  league,  10,000  dead  bodies 
lay  prostrate  on  the  field.  Here  were  seen  Russians 
and  French  lying  side  by  side,  with  their  bodies  pierc 


404  MEMOIRS  OF 


ed  and  mangled,  the  sickening  effects  of  each  others' 
vengeance. 

Napoleon  now  directed  his  sole  attention  to  the  pos- 
session of  Dantzick ;  and  after  a  siege  and  bombard- 
ment, during  which  the  allied  army  defended  the  place 
with  undaunted  bravery;  the  city  was  finally  surren- 
dered. 

Here  the  French  gained  possession  of  800  pieces  of 
artillery,  an  immense  quantity  of  clothing,  500,000 
quintals  of  grain,  and  several  thousand  aitiliery  horses. 

In  the  month  of  June,  Napoleon  took  possession  of 
Koningsberg,  where  20,000  wounded  Russians  and 
Prussians,  with  160,000  muskets,  fell  into  his  hands. 

The  Emperor  of  Russia  now  proposed  a  suspension 
of  hostilities,  to  which  Napoleon  consented,  and  as 
soon  as  the  terms  were  concluded,  the  two  monarchs 
met  each  other  on  a  raft,  placed  in  the  middle  of  the 
river  Niemen.  Here  they  embraced,  and  afterwards 
signed  articles  of  peace,  by  which  Alexander  agreed  to 
recognize  the  brothers  of  Napoleon  in  their  new  capa- 
cities as  the  Kings  of  Holland,  Naples  and  Westphalia. 
By  this  treaty,  which  was  signed  at  Tilsit,  the  King  of 
Prussia  was  deprived  of  a  considerable  portion  of  his 
dominions,  Prussian  Poland  being  transferred  to  the 
King  of  Saxony. 

Napoleon  now  proceeded  to  Paris,  where  he  was 
received  with  every  demonstration  of  joy.  On  the 
next  day  the  Senate  assembled,  before  whom  the  Em- 
peror gave  a  sketch  of  the  glorious  situation  of  France. 
"  By  the  confederation  of  the  Rhine, w  said  the  mon- 
arch, "  France  is  united  to  Germany,  and  by  her  own 
peculiar  system  of  federation  she  is  also  united  with 
Spain,  Holland,  Switzerland  and  Italy.  Her  relation 
with  Russia  is  founded  on  the  mutual  esteem  of  two 
great  nations." 

After  the  treaty  of  Tilsit,  Napoleon  turned  his  ma- 
chinations against  Spain.  His  first  step  was  to  draw 
from  that  kingdom  16,000  of  her  best  troops,  and  place 


LA  FAYETTE.  405 


them  where  they  could  not  interfere  with  his  views. 
Then  Ferdinand,  the  King,  was  enticed  out  of  the 
kingdom,  and  a  French  army  was  sent  to  take  posses- 
sion of  Madrid.  The  most  horrible  massacres  were 
committed,  and  the  Spaniards,  being  overpowered, 
were  finally  compelled  to  submit  to  their  fate.  Jo- 
seph Bonaparte  was  to  be  King  of  Spain.  Napoleon 
had  so  decreed. 

Thus  did  the  Emperor  of  France,  by  dint  of  power 
alone,  precipitate  from  the  throne  of  Spain  its  hered- 
itary prince,  and  with  a  military  force  drive  the  inhab- 
itants into  submission,  while  he  placed  one  of  his  own 
family  in  his  stead. 

Joseph  was  crowned  at  Madrid  on  the  20th  of  July, 
1808. 

This  conduct  occasioned  the  utmost  indignation  at 
all  the  courts  in  Europe,  not  in  the  French  interest* 
The  Portuguese  were  roused,  and  determined  to  free 
themselves  from  the  French  yoke.  The  English  sent 
an  immense  army  to  Spain,  to  assist  the  King  in  deliv- 
ering his  country  from  the  power  of  the  tyrant;  and 
thus  began  one  of  the  most  furious  and  bloody  wars 
which  Bonaparte  had  ever  occasioned. 

The  disposition  of  Napoleon  to  obtain  universal,  as* 
well  as  unlimited  power,  was  now  apparent.  The  na- 
tions of  Europe  became  alarmed,  and  the  neighbouring 
princes  saw  that  their  crowns,  perhaps  their  lives, 
might  soon  depend  on  the  will  of  him  who  was,  not 
long  since,  an  obscure  individual  from  Elba. 

Although  Napoleon  had  so  lately  marched  in  tri- 
umph into  their  conquered  capital,  the  court  of  Vien- 
na again  declared  war  against  the  tyrant.  With  his 
usual  success,  the  Emperor,  after  having  killed  and 
taken  prisoners  sixty  or  seventy  thousand  of  the  Aus- 
trian army,  again  presented  himself  before  Vienna  on 
the  10th  of  May,  1809.  Here  he  issued  a  proclama* 
tion  to  the  Hungarians,  and  then  crossed  the  Danube, 
in  order  to  give  battle  to  Archduke  Charles.     Ai\  en- 


40$  MEMOfltS  OF 


gagement  took  place  at  the  village  of  Aspern,  marked 
by  its  fury  and  carnage.  But  here,  almost  for  the  first 
time,  Napoleon  was  defeated,  and  obliged  to  fly,  after 
having  lost  five  Generals  and  a  great  number  of  men 
killed,  and  8000  prisoners.  After  several  other  san- 
guinary engagements,  a  peace  was  settled  between  the 
two  Emperors,  by  which  the  whole  of  Tyrol  was  given 
to  France. 

At  the  close  of  this  year,  Napoleon  divorced  his  wife 
Josephine,  for  the  purpose  of  uniting  himself  with  a 
younger  and  more  noble  bride,  and  early  in  1810, 
overtures  were  made  to  the  Emperor  of  Austria  to 
settle  a  treaty  of  marriage  between  his  daughter  Ma- 
ria Louisa  and  his  Imperial  Majesty  of  France  and  its 
dependencies. 

This  being  agreed  on,  Napoleon  solemnized  his 
marriage  with  royal  magnificence  at  Paris  on  the  first 
day  of  April. 

In  1811,  the  Emperor  of  Russia  accused  Napoleon 
of  having  broken  the  treaty  of  Tilsit,  in  several  re- 
spects. But  to  the  remonstrances  of  the  Russian  am- 
bassador on  this  subject,  no  answer  was  given. 

The  Russian  Court  therefore  solemnly  declared 
war  against  France. 

The  campaign  was  opened  in  April,  1812,  but  as  the 
principal  events  only,  of  this  most  destructive  of  all 
Bonaparte's  wars,  can  be  given,  the  battle  of  Smolen- 
sko  will  be  the  first  we  shall  notice.  On  the  16th  of 
August,  the  French  occupied  the  heights  of  this  place, 
the  walls  of  which  were  25  feet  high,  with  towers, 
armed  with  cannon.  The  town  was  defended  by 
30,000  Russians,  and  not  far  distant  lay  the  main  body 
of  the  Russian  army. 

The  attack  was  first  made  with  10  pieces  of  artil- 
lery on  the  intrenched  suburbs,  which  were  finally 
carried  by  assault.  The  howitzers  were  then  directed 
against  the  towers,  and  the  Russians  driven  from  them. 
It  wars  now  discovered,  that  the  city  was  in  flames* 


LA  FAYETTE.  407 


The  battle  continued  during  the  night,  and  at  2  o'- 
clock in  the  morning,  the  French  grenadiers  mounted 
the  breach  they  had  made  in  the  walls.  To  their  as- 
tonishment, no  one  resisted  their  approach.  The  town 
was  entirely  evacuated,  but  the  streets  were  covered 
with  the  dead  and  dying. 

The  Russians    continued  to  retreat,  and  lay  the 
country  waste,  while  the  French  kept  up  the  pursuit. 

When  they  arrived  at  Viasma,  they  found  that  city, 
which  had  contained  10,000  inhabitants,  entirely  eva- 
cuated, and  reduced  to  a  heap  of  ruins.  The  retreat 
and  pursuit  were  continued  to  Moscow,  and  on  the 
14th  of  September,  Napoleon  appeared  before  that 
city  with  his  army.  The  discharge  of  2000  cannon 
began  this  dreadful  conflict.  A  veil  of  smoke  shut 
out  the  light  of  the  sun,  and  left  the  combatants  to  pur- 
sue the  work  of  death,  only  by  the  flashes  of  the  can- 
non and  musquetry.  The  sabres  of  40,000  dragoons 
met  each  other,  clashing  in  the  horrid  gloom  ;  and  the 
moving  ramparts  of  half  a  million  of  bayonets,  bursting 
through  the  rolling  vapour,  strewed  the  earth  with 
heaps  of  dead  men.  Night  only  increased  the  horrors 
of  the  scene.  The  city  appeared  in  flames  at  dif- 
ferent quarters.  Two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
human  beings,  of  all  ages  and  conditions,  were  driven 
from  their  homes,  without  shelter  or  food.  The  hos-- 
pitals,  which  contained  more  than  20,000  wounded 
Russians,  were  consumed  by  the  flames.  The  city 
was  taken,  and  given  up  to  a  general  pillage.  Sol- 
diers, sutlers  and  galley-slaves  were  now  seen  breaking 
into  palaces,  and  seizing  every  article  which  could 
gratify  their  appetites  or  avarice.  Drunkenness  in- 
creased their  fury,  and  the  cries  and  shrieks  of  trie 
miserable  inhabitants,  who  fell  in  the  way  of  these 
murderers  completed  the  horror  of  that  scene. 

Having  caused  the  destruction  of  one  of  the  most 
magnificent  cities  in  the  world,  Napoleon  now  began 
his  retreat ;  but  death  and  destruction  now  stared  his 


408  MEMOIRS  OF 


whole  army  in  the  face.  The  Russians  followed  antl 
harassed  them.  Thousands  froze  to  death  for  want 
of  shelter.  Other  thousands  starved  to  death.  The 
dreadful  sufferings  of  the  soldiers  hardened  their 
hearts  against  each  other,  so  that  when  a  man  fell 
down,  exhausted  or  frozen,  he  was  immediately  tram- 
pled under  foot  by  his  passing  comrades,  and  no  no- 
tice taken  of  his  cries  for  help.  The  heartless  mon- 
ster, Napoleon,  seeing  the  awful  condition  to  which 
he  had  brought  so  many  of  his  faithful  soldiers,  instead 
ef  suffering  with  them,  privately  made  his  escape,  left 
all  who  remained  alive  to  perish,  or  take  care  of  them- 
selves as  they  could,  and  in  disguise  arrived  at  Paris^ 
in  December. 

From  the  evacuation  of  Moscow  to  the  end  of  De- 
cember, the  French  had  left  in  the  hands  of  their  en- 
emies 46  Generals,  1500  other  officers,  100,000  sol- 
diers, and  1350  pieces  of  artillery. 

Of  the  number  slain,  or  who  perished  in  Russia,  no 
yeturn  was  ever  made.  But  of  400,000  troops  who 
followed  Bonaparte  on  this  expedition,  not  50,000 
ever  returned  to  France.  On  the  1  lth  of  January, 
1813,  Napoleon  levied  a  new  army  of  350,000  men. 
and  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks,  they  were  raised  by 
conscription,  and  marched  off  to  Germany,  to  be  rea- 
dy to  act  against  the  Russians  and  their  allies. 

Meantime  the  Russian  government  had  raised  large 
reinforcements,  and  offered  assistance  to  any  nation 
that  wished  to  throw  off  the  French  yoke. 

The  first  action  of  consequence  took  place  at  the 
village  of  Gross-Gorsaken,  where  the  allies  attempted 
to  oppose  Napoleonys  progress  towards  Leipsic.  This 
bloody  conflict  began  at  noon,  and  continued  eight 
hours  with  the  utmost  fury.  The  village  was  taken 
and  retaken  six  times  by  the  bayonet.  The  carnage 
on  both  sides  was  immense.  Napoleon  claimed  the 
victory,  but  it  was  dearly  bought. 

The  Austrian  cabinet  took  a  deep  interest  in  these 


LA  FAYETTE.  409 


events  :  the  Emperor  saw  with  disquietude  the  pro- 
gress of  the  French  arms,  *and  had  prepared  arma- 
ments of  great  magnitude,  to  be  used  in  case  of  neces- 
sity. Through  the  mediation  of  the  Austrian  cabinet, 
an  armistice  was  agreed  oif,  and  a  Congress  assembled 
at  Prague,  where  it  was  proposed  to  Napoleon  to  re- 
store to  Prussia  the  fortresses  he  had  taken  from  her, 
that  Austria  should  be  put  in  possession  of  the  Illyrian 
provinces,  and  that  Hamburg  and  Lubec  should  be 
restored  to  their  independence. 

These  terms  Napoleon  rejected,  on  which  the  ar- 
mistice was  denounced,  and  war  declared  by  Austria 
against  France. 

All  Europe,  and  a  part  of  Asia  was  now  at  war,  and 
armies  on  the  most  gigantic  scale  were  to  be  put  in 
motion.  Qn  one  side  was  arrayed  Russia,  England, 
Austria,  Prussia,  Sweden,  Spain  and  Portugal,  and  on 
the  other,  France,  Holland,  Denmark,  Italy,  Bavaria, 
and  Saxony. 

The  first  engagement  of  consequence  took  place  on 
the  26th  of  August,  near  the  river  Neisse,  and  ended 
with  the  loss  of  18,000  of  the  allies,  and  103  pieces  of 
cannon  taken. 

But  the  French  were  defeated  in  turn  at  the  moun- 
tain passes  into  Bohemia.  Here,  for  two  successive 
days,  Napoleon's  army  was  attacked  with  such  fury, 
that  his  soldiers  threw  down  their  arms,  and  fled  in 
every  direction.  Six  Generals,  60  pieces  of  cannon, 
and  10,000  men  were  taken.  At  Interbook,  the  allies 
again  obtained  a  victory,  six  thousand  of  the  French 
being  killed,  and  5000  taken.  On  the  16th  of  Octo- 
ber, the  French  were  attacked  at  Leipsic,  and  after 
prodigious  efforts  on  both  sides,  Napoleon  was  com- 
pelled to  retreat.  The  allies  took  fifteen  Generals, 
250  cannon,  and  15,000  prisoners,  including  the  King 
of  Saxony  and  his  court.  Napoleon  made  a  precipi- 
tate retreat,  and  on  his  arrival  at  Paris  immediately 
raised  300,000  soldiers  by  conscription. 
35 


410  MEMOIRS  OF 


The  allied  armies  now  crossed  the  Rhine,  and  pro- 
claimed, that  they  would  not  lay  down  their  arms,  un- 
til Spain,  Germany,  Italy,  and  Holland  were  freed 
from  the  French  yoke. 

Continuing  their  march,  they  invaded  the  whole 
frontier  of  France  from  Lyons  to  Antwerp.  Paris 
was  in  dreadful  alarm.  Bonaparte  took  leave  of  the 
national  guard  with  emotion,  and  committed  his  wife 
and  child  to  their  protection.  He  then  joined  his 
army.  Battle  after  battle  ensued  with  various  success, 
On  the  27th  of  January,  1814,  the  allies  were  forced 
from  their  position.  The  French  took  possession  of 
the  castle  of  Brienne,  and  a  dreadful  carnage  succeed- 
ed in  an  attempt  to  dispossess  them.  At  La  Rotherie, 
the  French  were  routed  ;  5000  were  killed,  and 
20,000  deserted. 

Finally,  the  Emperor  Alexander  determined  to  as- 
semble all  the  allied  forces  at  Acris,  and  there  decide 
the  contest.  On  the  19th  of  March,  the  two  armies 
were  in  sight  of  each  other.  The  French  moved  to 
the  attack,  but  Napoleon  found  a  barrier  of  60  pieces 
directed  against  him.  All  his  efforts  were  in  vain,  and 
after  the  most  desperate  acts  of  bravery,  his  army  was 
compelled  to  retreat. 

The  King  of  Prussia  now  gave  orders  to  his  army  to 
march  directly  for  Paris. 

On  the  20th  of  March,  immense  masses  of  infantry 
advanced  from  different  routes  ;  a  large  body  of  caval- 
ry covered  the  plains,  and  600  pieces  of  artillery,  and 
200,000  soldiers  approached  the  city  of  Paris.  The 
French  determined  on  resistance,  but  were  driven  in 
every  direction  to  the  barriers  of  the  city,  and  the  cap- 
ital was  about  to  be  forced,  when  Marmont  sent  an  of- 
ficer to  solicit  a  truce.     Instantly  hostilities  ceased. 

Meantime  Napoleon  followed  close  in  the  rear  of 
the  grand  army,  moving  with  incredible  celerity,  with 
a  view  of  saving  the  capital,  but  all  his  exertions  were 
not  able  to  prevent  a  catastrophe  which  he  foresaw 


LA  FAYETTE.  411 


would  end  in  his  ruin.  Having  arrived  at  Fontain- 
bleau  with  his  whole  Force,  he  announced  to  his  army 
his  intention  of  making  an  attempt  to  repel  the  inva- 
ders. But  some  of  his  marshals  had  sent  in  their  ad- 
herence to  the  provisional  government,  and  others  re- 
fused to  obey  in  so  hopeless  an  enterprize.  On  the 
3d  of  April,  Berthier  was  sent  to  recommend  to  the 
Emperor  that  he  should  peaceably  abdicate  the 
throne.  At  first,  the  fallen  monarch  was  angry,  and 
refused  to  act,  or  think  on  the  subject.  In  the  course 
of  The  day,  however,  being  informed' by  a  number  of 
his  marshals  that  it  would  be  the  only  means  of  saving 
the  country  from  ruin,  and  that  there  was  no  hope  of 
.my  better  alternative,  he  consented,  and  abdicated  the 
throne  in  favour  of  his  infant  son. 

On  the  20th  of  April,  Napoleon  set  off  for  his  native 
island  of  Elba,  followed  by  fourteen  carriages. 

Louis  XVII I.  having  arrived  from  England  on  the 
3d  of  May,  made  his  solemn  entry  into  his  capital, 
amid  the  acclamations  of  the  people.  On  the  30th  of 
May,  a  definitive  treaty  of  peace  between  all  the  allied 
powers  and  Louis,  v»-as  ei^ned  at  Paris.  The  royal 
persons  congregated  on  this  occasion,  were  the  Em- 
perors of  Russia  and  Austria,  the  King?  of  Prussia, 
Denmark,  Wirtemberg  and  Bavaria,  and  ambassadors 
from  England,  Russia,  Austria,  Prussia,  France,  Spain, 
Portugal,  Switzerland,  Italy,  and  the  minor  States  of 
Germany. 

All  Europe  was  now  at  peace.  A  war  of  twenty- 
five  years  had  spread  desolation  and  mourning  over 
near  half  the  habitable  globe,  and  millions  of  lives  had 
been  sacrificed  to  the  wills,  the  wrongs,  or  the  ambi- 
tion of  princes.  The  day  of  peace  was  therefore  hail- 
ed as  the  era  from  whence  the  horrors  of  war  were  to 
end,  and  prosperity  and  happiness  again  bless  the  na- 
tions of  the  earth.  But  these  prospects  were  soon  to 
be  darkened,  and  Europe  to  experience  greater  com- 
motions than  ever. 


412  MEMOIRS  OF 


A  plot  was  laid  to  seat  Napolean  once  more  on  the 
throne  of  France.  Of  the  extent  of  this  conspiracy,  or 
the  names  of  those  engaged  in  it,  little  is  known. 

On  the  first  of  March,  1815,  Napoleon,  with  nine 
hundred  men,  landed  near  Cannes,  France.  He  im- 
mediately published  a  proclamation,  and  in  a  few  days 
had  a  well  appointed  army  of  10,000  men  under  hih 
command.  Marshal  Ney  was  sent  against  him,  but 
instead  of  opposing  his  progress,  he  joined  the  stand- 
ard of  Napoleon  with  most  of  his  army. 

On  the  20th,  Bonaparte  was  at  Fontainbleau,  where 
he  had  already  assembled  a  large  army. 
The  King,  Louis,  fled  from  Paris. 
A  body  of  troops  were  sent  to  oppose  his  approach 
to  the  capital,  but  the  ranks  opened  at  his  approach, 
and  shouting  Vive  Napoleon  le  Grande,  let  him  pass 
unmolested. 

At  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  twenty  days  after 
his  landing,  he  reached  Paris,  and  again  seated  him- 
self on  the  throne  of  the  French  empire.  On  the  1 3th 
of  March  the  Allied  Sovereigns,  still  assembled  at  the 
Congress  of  Vienna^  agreed  to  r^e  &fi  army  which 
in  tire  whole  amounted  to  more  than  a  million  of  men, 
to  crush  this  conspiracy,  and  not  to  lay  down  their 
arms  until  Bonaparte  was  completely  deprived  of  the 
power  of  exciting  disturbances. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1315,  Napoleon  had  raised  an 
army  of  520,000  men.  On  the  1st  of  June,  u  the  ad- 
ditional acts"  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Empire,  made 
by  Napoleon,  were  sworn  to,  with  great  ceremony  and 
pomp,  by  the  Emperor,  the  deputies  from  the  differ- 
ent departments,  and  the  people.  Qn  the  3d,  the 
chamber  of  peers  and  deputies  met,  as  the  legislative 
bodies  of  the  Empire. 

Meantime  the  combined  armies  were  all  in  motion, 
and  on  the  1 1th  of  June  the  Emperor  left  his  capital 
and  proceeded  to  the  army. 

On  the  16th  the  Prussians  had  proceeded  as  far  as 


LA  FAYETTE  413 


the  villages  of  St.  Amand  and  Ligny.  They  were  im- 
mediately attacked  by  the  Emperor  in  person.  After 
a  vigorous  resistance  he  took  possession  of  St.  Amand. 
He  next  advanced  against  Ligny,  where  the  combat 
was  of  the  most  desperate  and  sanguinary  description. 
For  five  hours  the  battle  raged  with  doubtful  success  ; 
but  finally  the  Prussians  were  repulsed  and  obliged  to 
retire,  leaving  an  immense  number  of  killed  and 
wounded  on  the  field  of  battle. 

Inconsequence  of  the  retreat  of  the  Prussians,  the 
Duke  of  Wellington  retired  to  Waterloo.  On  the  1 8th 
of  June,  Napoleon  began  to  put  his  troops  in  motion  ; 
and  each  army  prepared  to  decide  the  fate  of  Europe. 
The  lines  were  nearly  parallel ;  at  the  distance  of  from 
twelve  to  fourteen  hundred  yards  apart,  and  extending 
about  two  miles  in  length.  The  eminences  possessed 
by  each  army  were  lined  with  300  pieces  of  artillery. 

This  was  the  first  time  Bonaparte  had  met  Welling- 
ton. Both  these  commanders  were  in  full  view  of  the 
field  when  the  battle  begun.  The  details  of  this 
dreadful  conflict  are  too  well  known  to  need  a  descrip- 
tion here.  Napoleon  was  completely  defeated  ;  300 
pieces  of  artillery  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Allies,  and 
14,000  prisoners  were  taken.  The  number  killed  is 
uncertain.  But  the  loss  to  the  French  on  the  16th 
and  1 8th  was  estimated  at  40,000  left  on  the  field.  On 
the  16th  the  French  killed  16,000  Prussians,  and  on 
the  18th  lord  Wellington  lost  in  killed,  13,000. 

Napoleon  made  his  escape  to  Paris,  where  his  arri- 
val spread  universal  consternation.  He  demanded 
another  army  to  oppose  his  enemies,  but  he  was  given 
to  understand  that  his  abdication  was  expected.  To 
this  he  was  obliged  to  consent,  and  accordingly  issued 
a  declaration,  in  which  he  declared  that  his  political 
Itfe  was  terminated,  and  proclaimed  his  son  as  heir  to 
the  throne,  under  the  title  of  Napoleon  II. 

Having  given  this  rapid  sketch  of  the  principal 


414  MEMOIRS  OF 


events  of  Bonaparte's  life,  without  adverting  to  Gen- 
eral La  Fayette,  we  now  return  to  show  the  connec- 
tion he  had  with  the  government  of  France  during 
that  period. 


LA  FAYETTE.  415 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  CONDUCT  OF  GENERAL  LA  FAYETTE  DURTNG  THE  REIGN  OF 
BONAPARTE,  &C. 

Soon  after  the  return  of  La  Fayette  to  France,  the 
question  of  electing  Bonaparte  First  Consul  for  life, 
became  a  subject  of  great  interest  to  those  who  con- 
sidered its  consequences.  La  Fayette  saw  that  the 
liberties  of  France  would  be  placed  in  jeopardy  by 
such  a  measure,  and  with  that  candour  and  patriotism 
which  always  belonged  to  his  character,  he  wrote  Bo- 
naparte as  follows,  on  the  subject. 

"  General, 

"  When  a  man,  who  is  deeply  impressed  with  a 
sense  of  the  gratitude  he  owes  you,  and  who  is  too  ar- 
dent a  lover  of  glory  to  be  wholly  indifferent  to  yours, 
connects  his  suffrage  with  conditional  restrictions, 
those  restrictions  not  only  secure  him  from  suspicion, 
but  prove  amply,  that  no  one  will  more  gladly  than 
himself,  behold  in  you,  the  Chief  Magistrate  for  life,  of 
a  free  and  independent  Republic. 

"  The  1 8th  of  Brumaire  saved  France  from  (Jestruc- 
tion ;  and  I  felt  myself  reassured  and  recalled  by  the 
liberal  declarations  to  which  you  have  connected  the 
sanction  of  your  honour.  In  your  Consular  authority, 
there  was  afterwards  discerned  that  salutary  dictato- 
rial prerogative,  which,  under  the  auspices  of  a  genius 
like  yours,  accomplished  such  glorious  purposes  ;  yet 
less  glorious,  let  me  add,  than  the  restoration  of  liberty 
would  prove. 

"  It  is  not  possible,  General,  that  you,  the  first 
amidst  that  order  of  mankind,  which  surveys  every 
age  and  every  country,  before  the  stations  of  its  mem- 
bers in  the  scale  can  be  determined,  that  you  can  de- 
sire that  a  revolution,  marked  by  an  unexampled  ffe- 


416  MEMOIRS  OF 


ries  of  stupendous  victories,  and  unheard  of  sufferings, 
shall  give  nothing  to  the  world,  but  a  renovated  sys- 
tem of  arbitrary  government.  The  people  of  this 
country  have  been  acquainted  with  their  rights  too 
long  to  forget  them  forever ;  but  perhaps  they  may 
recover  and  enjoy  them  better  now,  than  during  the 
period  of  revolutionary  effervescence.  And  you,  by 
the  strength  of  your  character,  and  the  influence  of 
public  confidence,  by  the  superiority  of  your  talents, 
your  power  and  your  fortune,  in  re-establishing  the 
liberties  of  France,  can  allay  all  agitations,  calm  all 
anxieties,  and  subdue  all  dangers. 

"  When  I  wish,  then,  to  see  the  career  of  your  glory 
crowned  by  the  honours  of  perpetual  magistracy,  I 
but  act  in  correspondence  with  my  own  private  senti- 
ments, and  am  influenced  exclusively  by  patriotic  con- 
siderations. But  all  my  political  and  moral  obliga- 
tions, the  principles  that  have  governed  every  action 
of  my  life,  call  on  me  to  pause,  before  I  bestow  on 
you  my  suffrage,  until  I  feel  assured,  that  your  author- 
ity shall  be  erected  on  a  basis  worthy  the  nation  and 
yourself. 

"  I  confidently  trust,  General,  that  you  will  recog- 
nize here,  as  you  have  done  on  all  other  occasions,  a 
steady  continuance  of  my  political  opinions,  combined 
with  the  sincerest  prayers  for  your  welfare,  and  the 
deepest  sense  of  all  my  obligations  towards  you." 

The  Frst  Consul  saw  from  this  letter,  that  La  Fay- 
ette could  neither  recognize  his  principles  as  a  secu- 
rity to  the  liberties  of  France,  nor  promote  his  desire 
of  being  confirmed  as  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  king- 
dom during  life. 

From  this  moment,  all  intercourse  ceased  between 
the  First  Consul  and  La  Fayette,  nor  did  the  latter 
see  him  again  until  his  return  from  Elba.  This  letter 
never  was  answered,  and  although  the  quiet  and  re- 
tired habits  of  La  Fayette  did  not  subject  him  to  the 
machinations  of  the  times,  Napoleon  took  care  that  he 


LA  FAYETTE.  417 


should  feel  that  he  had  not  been  forgiven  for  his  oppo- 
sition, by  his  treatment  towards  his  son.  George 
Washington  La  Fayette,  only  son  of  the  General,  ser- 
ved from  the  commencement  of  the  war  in  1800.  He 
was  attached  to  the  guards  of  the  First  Consul ;  and 
afterwards  General  Grouchy  appointed  him  one  of  his 
aids.  Grouchy  was  exceedingly  attached  to  him  as  a 
brave  and  intelligent  officer,  and  besides,  owed  him  a 
debt  of  gratitude  ;  young  La  Fayette  having,  at  a  pe- 
riod of  great  hazard  and  difficulty,  saved  the  life  of  his 
General.  Grouchy  made  a  report  to  Napoleon  of  the 
meritorious  conduct  of  young  La  Fayette,  and  reques- 
ted as  a  favour,  conferred  on  himself,  as  well  as  a  re- 
ward for  his  bravery  and  good  conduct,  that  he  might 
be  promoted.  But  Napoleon  replied,  "  these  La 
Fayettes  cross  my  path  every  where,"  and  would  not 
permit  his  name  to  be  mentioned  in  the  bulletins.  He 
continued  to  serve,  notwithstanding,  until  the  ratifica- 
tion of  the  treaty  of  Tilsit,  and  afterwards  retired  to 
the  family  mansion  at  La  Grange,  where  he  remained 
during  the  rei^Q  of  Napoleon. 

"  *  The  restoration  of  the  Bourbons  in  1814,  made 
no  change  in  La  Fayette's  relations.  He  presented 
himself  once  at  court,  and  was  kindly  received;  but 
the  government  they  had  established  was  so  different 
from  the  representative  government,  which  he  had 
assisted  to  form,  and  sworn  to  support  in  1789,  [1790] 
that  he  did  not  again  present  himself  at  the  palace. — 
The  Bourbons,  by  neglecting  entirely  to  understand 
or  conciliate  the  nation,  the  end  of  the  year  brought 
back  Buonaparte,  who  (as  we  have  already  seen) 
landed  on  the  first  of  March,  1815,  and  reached  the 
capital  on  the  20th.  His  appearance  in  Paris  was  like 
a  theatrical  illusion,  and  policy  seemed  to  be  to  play 
all  men,  of  all  parties,  like  the  characters  of  a  great 
drama,  around  him,     Immediately  on  his  arrival  upon 


*  N.  A.  Review,  No.  46. 


4U  MEMOIRS  OF 


the  soil  of  France,  he  endeavoured  to  win  the  old 
friends  of  French  freedom  ;  and  the  same  day  that  he 
made  his  irruption  into  the  ancient  palace  of  the  Tu- 
ileries,  he  appointed  Carnot  his  minister  of  war,  and 
Carnot  was  weak  enough  to  accept  the  appointment. 
In  a  similar  way,  he  endeavoured  to  obtain  the  coun- 
tenance and  co-operation  of  La  Fayette.  Joseph 
Buonaparte  to  whom  La  Fayette  was  personally 
known,  and  for  whom  he  entertained  a  personal  re- 
gard, was  employed  by  the  Emperor  to  consult  and 
conciliate  him  ;  but  La  Fayette  would  hold  no  com- 
munication with  the  new  order  of  things.  He  even 
refused,  though  most  pressingly  solicited  to  have  an 
interview  with  the  Emperor. 

On  the  22d  of  April,  Napoleon  offered  to  the  French 
nation  his  Acte  Additionel,  or  an  addition  as  he  chose 
to  consider  it,  to  the  constitution  of  1799,  1802,  and 
1804,  confirming  thereby  the  principles  of  his  former 
despotism,  but  establishing,  among  other  things,  an 
hereditary  chamber  of  peers,  and  an  elective  chamber 
of  representatives.  This  act  was  accepted,  or  pre- 
tended to  be  accepted,  by  the  votes  of  the  French 
people  :  but  La  Fayette  entered  his  solemn  protest 
against  it,  in  the  same  spirit  with  which  he  had  pro- 
tested against  the  Consulship  for  life.  The  very  col- 
lege of  electors  however,  who  received  his  protest, 
unanimously  chose  him  for  their  President,  and  after- 
wards to  be  their  Representative;  and  the  Emperor, 
determining  to  obtain  his  influence,  or  at  least  his  si- 
lence, offered  him  the  first  peerage  in  the  new  cham- 
ber he  was  forming.  La  Fayette  was  as  true  to  his 
principles,  as  he  had  been  before  under  more  difficult 
circumstances.  He  accepted  the  place  of  representa- 
tive, but  declined  the  peerage." 

As  a  representative  of  the  people,  La  Fayette  took 
his  seat  at  the  opening  of  the  Chambers,  during  the 
hundred  days  reign  of  Napoleon.  But  he  appears  not 
to  have  taken  an  active  part  in  the  debates,  took  great 


LA  FAYETTE.  4l» 


care  not  be  implicated  in  any  of  the  designs  of  the  Em- 
peror, and  only  voted  for  such  measures  as  under  (he 
circumstances  were  in  his  judgment  best  calculated  to 
meliorate  the  dreadful  situation  of  his  country. 

Twelve  days  after  the  assembling  of  the  Chambers, 
the  battle  of  Waterloo  decided  the  fate  of  Napoleon. 
He  returned  to  Paris,  a  ruined  and  desperate  man. — 
Not,  however,  destitute  of  all  hopes,  he  determined  to 
make  one  mighty  effort  to  retrieve  his  fortunes. — This 
was  to  dissolve  the  Chambers,  which  he  saw  he  could 
not  control ;  assume  the  dictatorship  ;  raise  an  army 
instantly,  by  conscription,  and  repel  his  invaders  by  an 
overwhelming  force.  The  Chambers  well  understood 
this  design,  and  having  received  intelligence  that  it 
was  the  intention  of  Napoleon  to  dissolve  them  imme- 
diately on  their  coming  together  on  the  morning  of  the 
22d  of  June,  the  existence  of  the  Chambers,  as  a  le- 
gislative body,  or  the  finaldoom  of  the  monarch  was 
instantly  to  be  decided.  The  moment,  therefore,  the 
Assembly  had  convened,  La  Fayette,  in  the  face  of 
death,  if  his  proposition  was  rejected,  ascended  the  tri- 
bune. With  firm  and  cool  deliberation,  he  prefaced 
the  resolutions  he  had  to  offer  as  follows  :  "When,  af- 
ter an  interval  of  many  years,  I  raise  a  voice,  which 
the  friends  of  free  institutions  will  still  recognize,  I  feel 
myself  called  upon  to  speak  to  you  only  of  the  dangers 
of  the  country  which  you  alone  now  have  the  power  to 
save.  Sinister  intimations  ;  they  are  unfortunately 
confirmed.  This,  therefore,  is  the  moment  for  us  to 
gather  round  the  ancient  tri-coloured  standard ;  the 
standard  of '89  ;  the  standard  of  freedom,  of  equal 
rights,  and  of  public  order.  Permit,  then,  gentlemen, 
a  veteran  in  this  sacred  cause,  one  who  has  always 
been  a  stranger  to  the  spirit  of  faction,  to  offer  you  a 
few  preparatory  resolutions,  whsse  absolute  necessity, 
I  trust,  you  will  feel  as  I  do." 

These  resolutions  declared  the  Chamber  to  be  in  a 
state  of  permanent  sitting,  and  that  any  attempt  to  dis- 


420  MEMOIRS  OF 


solve  it  should  be  considered  high  treason.  "  Bonaparte 
is  said  to  have  been  much  agitated  when  he  heard  that 
La  Fayette  was  in  the  tribune.  He  knew  his  influ- 
ence and  his  principles,  and  was  aware  that  neither 
comported  with  his  designs  of  ambiton.  The  discus- 
sion of  the  Chamber  not  only  fixed  the  fate  of  Napole- 
on,  but  discouraged  him  from  making  any  violent  ef- 
forts. He,  however,  hesitated  during  the  day,  what 
course  to  pursue,  and  in  the  evening  sent  Lucien  Bo- 
naparte to  the  Assembly,  hoping  that  his  eloquence 
might  gain  some  terms  of  conciliation.  It  was  cer- 
tainly a  most  perilous  crisis.  Reports  were  abroad 
that  the  populace  of  the  Fauxbourgshad  been  excited, 
and  were  arming  themselves.  It  was  believed,  too, 
with  no  little  probability,  that  Bonaparte  would  march 
against  the  Chamber  and  disperse  the  deputies  with 
the  bayonet.  Lucien  rose,  and  in  the  doubtful  and 
gloomy  light  which  two  vast  torches  shed  through  the 
hall  and  over  the  pale  and  anxious  features  of  the  mem- 
bers, made  a  partial  exposition  of  the  state  of  affairs, 
and  the  projects  and  hopes  he  still  entertained."* 

A  debate  ensued  ;  and  one  of  the  members,  after  a 
vehement  speech,  showing  the  danger  the  country  was 
in,  ended  by  demanding  the  abdication  of  the  Empe- 
ror. To  this  Lucien  replied.  His  object  was  to  con- 
vince the  Chamber  that  the  nation  wasJ  still  attached 
to  Napoleon,  and  that  there  were  resources  and  men 
at  command,  sufficient  to  expel  the  Allies  from  the 
kingdom.  "It  is  not  Napoleon,"  he  cried,  "that  is 
attacked,  it  is  the  French  people.  And  a  proposition 
is  now  made  to  this  people  to  abandon  their  Emperor  ; 
to  expose  the  French  nation  before  the  tribunal  of  the 
world,  to  a  severe  judgment  on  its  levity  and  incon- 
stancy. No,  Sir,  the  honour  of  this  nation  shall  never 
be  compromised."  La  Fayette  then  arose  from  his 
seat,  and  without  going  to  the  tribune,  addressed  La- 


*  North  American  Review. 


LA  FAYETTE. 


cien  :  "  The  assertion,"  said  he,  "  which  has  just  been 
uttered  is  a  calumny.  Who  shall  dare  to  accuse  the 
French  nation  of  inconstancy  to  the  Emperor  Napole- 
on ?  That  nation  has  followed  his  bloody  footsteps 
through  the  sands  of  Egypt  and  through  the  wastes  of 
Russia;  over  fifty  fields  of  battle  ;  in  disaster  as  faith- 
fully as  in  victory  ;  and  it  is  for  having  thus  devotedly 
followed  him,  that  we  now  mourn  the  blood  of  millions 
of  Frenchmen." 

To  this  Lucien  made  no  reply,  but  bowing  respect 
fully  to  La  Fayette,  resumed  his  seat.  The  next 
morning  Napoleon  sent  in  his  abdication,  and  La  Fay- 
ette was  one  of  the  committee  sent  to  return  him  thanks 
in  behalf  of  the  nation,  for  peaceably  resigning  the 
crown. 

A  provisional  government  was  now  established  by 
the  two  Chambers,  chiefly  for  the  purpose  of  concilia- 
ting the  allied  monarchs,  and  stopping  the  invasion  of 
the  country.  In  this  they  were  not  successful,  and  the 
capital  of  France  was  surrendered  to  them  on  the 
third  of  July.  On  the  8th,  the  Chambers  were  dissolv- 
ed, and  the  deputies  returned  quietly  to  their  different 
departments. 

La  Fayette  immediately  retired  to  La  Grange,  and 
resumed  his  quiet  and  happy  mode  of  life,  being  entire- 
ly employed  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Since  1817,  he 
has  been  twice  elected  member  of  the  Chamber  of 
Deputies,  and  it  is  Jiardly  necessary  to  say,  that  on  all 
occasions  he  displayed  the  same  disinterested  zeal  for 
the  welfare  and  liberty  of  the  people,  and  the  same 
firmness  in  defending  them  that  always  characterized 
him. 

The  happy  retirement  of  La  Fayette  and  his  inter- 
e  sting  family,  cannot  be  better  described  than  is  done 
by  Lady  Morgan.     It  is  as  follows  : 

"  The  Chateau  of  La  Grange-Blessnau  lies  in  the 
fertile  district  of  La  Brie  ;  so  remote  from  any  high 
road,  s©  lonely,  so  wood-embosomed,  that  a  spot  more 

36 


m  MEMOIRS  OF 


sequestered,  more  apparently  distant  from  the  bustling 
world,  and  all  its  scenes  of  conflict  and  activity,  can 
scarcely  be  imagined, — Having  left  the  public  road 
about  thirty  miles  from  Paris,  and  struck  into  an  al- 
most impassable  chemin-dertravers,  we  trusted  to  the 
hints  and  guidance  of  shepherds,  wood-cutters  and 
gardes- champetres  for  a  clue  to  the  labyrinth  we  were 
pursuing.  They  all  knew  the  chateau  la  Grange  : 
and  by  their  directions,  we  proceeded  from  one  "  deep- 
entangled  glen"  to  another  ;  jolting  over  stony  brooks, 
floundering  through  rapid  mill-streams;  sometimes 
buried  in  forests  of  fruit-trees,  and  sometimes  driving 
through  farm-yards,  to  the  dismay  of  the  poultry,  and 
the  amusement  of  their  owners;  while  our  coachman 
and  a  French  servant,  who  accompanied  us,  had  al- 
ways some  question  to  ask,  or  some  courtesy  to  offer 
and  receive. 

In  crossing  a  chemin-pave,  as  it  was  called,  we  were 
pointed  out  the  remains  of  a  Roman  road  ;  and  the 
spot  was  marked  where  a  battle  was  fought,  in  March, 
1  814,  between  Buonaparte  and  the  Austrians,  called 
the  Battle  of  Mormans,  in  which  the  French  arms 
were  victorious.  This  skirmish  prefaced  the  great 
engagement  of  Montreau. 

In  the  midst  of  this  fertile  and  luxuriant  wilderness, 
rising  above  prolific  orchards  and  antiquated  woods, 
appeared  the  five  towers  of  La-Grange-Blessneau, 
tinged  with  the  golden  rays  of  the  setting  sun. 
Through  the  boles  of  the  trees,  appeared  the  pretty 
village  of  Aubepierre,  once,  perhaps,  the  dependency 
of  the  castle,  and  clustering  near  the  protection  of  its 
walls.  A  remoter  view  of  the  village  of  D'Hieres, 
with  its  gleaming  river  and  romantic  valley,  was  caught 
and  lost,  alternately,  in  the  serpentine  mazes  of  the 
rugged  road  ;  which,  accommodated  to  the  groupings 
of  the' trees,  wound  amidst  branches  laden  with 
ripening  fruit,  till  its  rudeness  sullenly  subsided  in  the 
velvet  lawn  that  immediately  surrounded   the  castle. 


LA  FAYETTE.  42$ 


The  deep  moat,  the  draw-bridge,  the  ivied  tower,  and 
arched  portals,  opening  into  the  square  court,  had  a 
feudal  and  picturesque  character  ;  and,  combined 
with  the  reserved  tints  and  fine  repose  of  evening, 
associated  with  that  exaltation  of  feeling  which  belong- 
ed to  the  moment  preceeding  a  first  interview  with 
those,  on  whom  the  mind  has  long  dwelt  with  admira- 
tion or  interest. 

We  found  General  La  Fayette  surrounded  by  his 
patriarchal  family : — his  excellent  son  and  daughter- 
in-law,  his  two  daughters  (the  sharers  of  his  dungeon 
in  Olmutz)  and  their  husbands;  eleven  grand-children, 
and  a  venerable  grand- Uncle,  the  ex-grand  prior  of 
Malta,  with  hair  as  white  as  snow,  and  his  cross  and 
his  order  worn,  as  proudly  as  when  he  had  issued  forth 
at  the  head  of  his  pious  troops,  against  the  "  paynim 
ybe,"  or  Christian  enemy.  Such  was  the  groupe  that 
received  us  in  the  salon  of  La  Grange  ;  such  was  the 
close-knit  circle  that  made  our  breakfast  and  our 
dinner  party  ;  accompanied  us  in  our  delightful  ram- 
bles through  the  grounds  of  La  Grange,  and  constantly 
presented  the  most  perfect  unity  of  family  interests, 
habits,  taste,  and  affections. 

We  naturally  expect  to  find  strong  traces  of  time  in 
the  form  of  those,  with  whose  name  and  deeds  we  have 
long  been  acquainted  ;  of  those  who  had  obtained  the 
suffrages  of  the  world,  almost  before  we  had  entered  it. 
But,  on  the  person  of  La  Fayette,  time  has  left  no  im- 
pression ;  nor  a  wrinkle  furrows  the  ample  brow,  and 
his  unbent,  and  noble  figure,  is  still  as  upright,  bold, 
and  vigorous,  as  the  mind  that  informs  it.  Grace, 
strength,  and  dignity,  still  distinguish  the  fine  person 
of  this  extraordinary  man  ;  who,  though  more  than  for- 
ty years  before  the  world,  engaged  in  scenes  of  strange 
and  eventful  conflict,  does  not  yet  appear  to  have 
reached  his  climacteric.  Bustling  and  active  in  his 
farm,  graceful  and  elegant  in  his  salon,  it  is  difficult  to 
•  race,  in  one  of  the  most  successful  agriculturists,  and 


424  MEMOIRS  OF 


one  of  the  most  perfect  fine  gentlemen  that  France 
has  produced,  a  warrior  and  a  legislator.  The  pat 
riot,  however,  is  always  discernible. 

In  the  full  possesion  of  every  faculty  and  talent  he 
ever  possessed,  the  memory  of  M.  La  Fayette  has  all 
the  tenacity  of  unworn  youthful  recollection  ;  and,  be 
sides  these,  high  views  of  all  that  is  most  elevated  in 
the  mind's  conception.  His  conversation  is  brilliantly 
enriched  with  anecdotes  of  all  that  is  celebrated,  in 
character  and  event,  for  the  last  fifty  years.  He  still 
talks  with  unwearied  delight  of  his  short  visit  to  Eng- 
land, to  his  friend  Mr.  Fox,  and  dwelt  on  the  witchery 
of  the  late  Duchess  of  Devonshire,  with  almost  boyish 
enthusiasm.  He  speaks  and  writes  English  with  the 
same  elegance  he  does  his  native  tongue.  He  has 
made  himself  master  of  all  that  is  best  worth  knowing. 
in  English  literature  and  philosophy.  I  observed  thai 
his  library  contained  many  of  our  most  eminent  au- 
thors upon  all  subjects.  His  elegant,  and  well  chosen, 
collectien  of  books,  occupies  the  highest  apartments 
in  one  of  the  towers  of  the  chateau  ;  and,  like  the 
study  of  Montaigne,  hangs  over  the  farm-yard  of  the 
philosophical  agriculturist — "  It  frequently  happens," 
said  M.  La  Fayette,  as  we  were  looking  out  of 
the  window  at  some  flocks,  which  were  moving 
beneath,  "it  frequently  happens  that  my  Merinos, 
and  my  hay  carts,  dispute  my  attention  with  your 
Hume,  or  our  own  Voltaire." 

He  spoke  with  great  pleasure  on  the  visit  paid  him 
at  La  Grange  some  years  ago,  by  Mr.  Fox  and  Gen- 
eral Fitzpatrick.  He  took  me  out,  the  morning  after 
my  arrival,  to  shew  me  a  tower,  richly  covered  with 
ivy  : — "  It  was  Fox,"  said  he,  "  who  planted  that 
ivy  !  I  have  taught  my  grand-children  to  venerate  it." 

The  chateau  La  Grange  does  not,  however,  want 
other  points  of  interest. — Founded  by  Louis  LeGros, 
and  occupied  by  the  princes  of  Lorraine,  the  mark 
of  a  cannon  ball  is  still  visible  in  one  of  its   towers, 


LA  FAYETTE  425 


which  penetrated  the  masonry,  when  attacked  by 
Marechal  Turenne.  Here,  in  the  plain,  but  spacious 
salon-a-manger,  the  peasantry  of  the  neighbourhood, 
and  the  domestics  of  the  castle,  assemble  every  Sun- 
day evening  in  winter,  to  dance  to  the  violin  of  the 
concierge,  and  are  regaled  with  cakes,  and  eau-sucree. 
The  General  is  usually,  and  his  family  are  always, 
present,  at  these  rustic  balls.  The  young  people  oc- 
casionally dance  among  the  tenantry,  a,nd  set  the  ex- 
amples of  new  steps,  freshly  imported  by  their  Paris 
dancing-master. 

In  the  summer,  this  patriarchal  re-union  takes  place 
in  the  park,  where  a  space  is  cleared  for  the  purpose 
shaded  by  the  lofty  trees  which  encircle  it.  A  thou- 
sand times  in  contemplating  La  Fayette,  in  the  midst 
©f  this  charming  family,  the  last  years  of  the  life  of 
the  Chancellor  de  l'Hopital  recurred  to  me, — he* 
whom  the  naive  Brantome  likens  to  Cato  ;  and  who, 
loving  liberty  as  he  hated  faction,  retired  from  a  court 
unworthy  of  his  virtues,  to  his  little  domain  of  Vignay, 
which  he  cultivated  himself. 

In  accompanying  this  "  last  of  the  Romans"  through 
his  extensive  farms,  visiting  his  sheep-folds,  his  cow- 
stalls,  his  dairies,  (of  all  of  which  he  was  justly  proud, 
and  occasionally  asking  me,  whether  it  was  not  some- 
thing in  the  English  style,)  I  was  struck  with  his  gra- 
cious manner  to  the  peasantry,  and  to  the  workmen 
engaged  in  the  various  rustic  offices  of  his  domains. 
He  almost  always  addressed  them  with  "  mon  ami," 
"  mon  bon  ami," — mon  cher  garcon  f)  while  "  ma 
bonne  mere,"  and  "ma  chere  fille"  were  invited  to 
display  the  delicacies  of  the  cream-pans  and  cheese- 
presses,  or  to  parade  their  turkeys  and  ducklings  for 
our  observation  and  amusement.  And  this  conde- 
scending kindness  seems  repaid  by  boundless  affection, 
and  respect  amounting  to  veneration.  What  was 
once  the  verger  of  tne  chateau,  where  anciently  the 
feudal  seigneur  regaled  himself  in  the  evening,  with 

36* 


426  MEMOIRS  OF 


the  officers  of  his  household,  and  played  chess  wit!* 
his  chaplain,  is  now  extended,  behind  the  castle,  into  a 
noble  park,  cut  out  of  the  luxuriant  woods  ;  the  trees 
being  so  cleared  away,  and  disposed  of,  as  to  sprinkle 
its  green  and  velvet  lawn  with  innumerable  clump? 
of  lofty  oaks,  and  fantastic  elms,  "This  is  rather 
English,  too,"  said  General  La  Fayette  ;  "  but  it  owe? 
the  greater  part  of  its  beauty  to  the  taste  of  our  cele 
brated  landscape-painter,  Robert,  who  assisted  me  in 
laying  out  the  grounds,  and  disposing  of  my  wood 
scenery." 

It  was  whilst  walking  by  a  bright  moon-light,  in 
these  lovely  grounds,  that  I  have  listened  to  their  il 
lustrious  master,  conversing  upon  almost  every  sub- 
ject worthy  to  engage  the  mind  of  a  great  and  good 
man  ;  sometimes  in  French,  sometimes  in  English  ; 
always  with  eloquence,  fluency  and  spirit. 

Our  mid-day  ramble  was  of  a  less  serious  character  ; 
for,  as  the  young  people  were  let  loose  from  their  stu- 
dies to  accompany  us,  we  issued  forth  a  party  of  twen- 
ty strong.  Upon  these  occasions,  the  Grand  Prior 
took  a  very  distinguished  part.  He  was  evidently  a 
popular  leader  upon  such  expeditions,  and  having 
given  orders  to  a  party  to  go  in  search  of  some  pecu- 
liarly beautiful  corn-flowers,  which  were  destined  to 
assist  the  dinner  toilette,  the  veteran  knight  marshalled 
his  divisions,  and  commanded  the  expedition,  with  an 
earnestness  and  a  gravity,  which  evidently  showed 
him  as  much  interested  in  this  predatory  warfare  upon 
blooms  and  odours,  as  his  well  disciplined  little  troops. 
Some  error,  however,  in  their  evolutions,  just  as  the 
word  of  command  was  given,  struck  the  General  La 
Fayette  himself,  who  commanded  a  halt,  and  suggested 
the  experience  of  his  counsel  to  the  science  of  the 
Maltese  tactics.  It  was  curious  to  observe  the  rep- 
resentative of  the  Grand  Masters  of  the  Knights  of  St. 
John,  of  Jerusalem,  and  the  General-commandant  of 
the.  national  army  of  France,  manoeuvring   this  little 


LA  FAYETTE.  42" 


rifle  corps,  and  turning  powers  that  had  once  their  in- 
fluence over  the  fate  of  Europe,  against  corn-flowers, 
and  May-sweets. 

I  was  desirous  to  learn  how  Bonaparte  seemed  affec- 
ted at  the  moment  that  General  La  Fayette,  at  the 
head  of  the  deputation  who  came  to  thank  him  in  the 
name  of  the  chamber,  for  his  voluntary  abdication,  ap- 
peared before  him.  "  We  found  him,"  said  General 
La  Fayette,  "  upon  this  occasion,  as  upon  many  oth- 
ers, acting  out  of  the  ordinary  rules  of  calculation  ; 
neither  affecting  the  pathetic  dignity  of  fallen  great- 
ness, nor  evincing  the  uncontrollable  dejection  of  dis- 
appointed ambition,  of  hopes  crushed,  never  to  revive, 
and  of  splendour  quenched,  never  to  rekindle.  We 
found  him  calm  and  serene  :  he  received  us  with  a 
faint  but  gracious  smile — he  spoke  with  firmness  and 
precision.  I  think  the  parallel  for  this  moment  was 
that  when  he  presented  his  breast  to  the  troops  drawn 
out  against  him,  on  his  return  from  Elba,  exclaiming, 
"  I  am  your  Emperor,  strike  if  you  wil!."  There 
have  been  splendid  traits  in  the  life  of  this  man,  not 
to  be  reconciled  to  his  other  modes  of  conduct : — his 
character  is  out  of  all  ordinary  keeping,  and  to  him 
(he  doctrine  of  probabilities  could  never,  in  any  in- 
stance, be  applied.5 

A  few  days  before  this  memorable  interview,  La 
Fayette  had  said  in  the  Assembly,  in  answer  to  Lucien 
Bonaparte's  reproaches,  who  accused  the  nation  of 
levity  in  its  conduct  towards  the  Emperor,  u  Go,  tell 
your  brother,  that  we  will  trust  him  no  longer ;  we 
will  ourselves  undertake  the  salvation  of  our  country." 
And  Napoleon  had  Jearnt  that,  if  his  abdication  was 
not  sent  to  the  chamber  within  one  hour,  M.  La  Fay- 
ette had  resolved  to  move  for  his  expulsion.  Yet  Bo- 
naparte received  this  firm  opposer  of  all  his  views  with 
graciousness  and  serenity ;  and  it  was  this  resolute 
and  determined  foe  to  his  power,  who,  after  this  inter- 
view, demanded  that  the  liberty  and  life  of  Napoleon 


428  MEMOIRS  OF 


should  be  put  under  the  protection  of  the  French  peo 
pie.  But  Napoleon,  always  greater  in  adversity  than 
in  prosperity,  chose  to  trust  to  the  generosity  of  the 
English  nation,  and  to  seek  safety  and  protection  a 
midst  what  he  deemed  a  great  and  a  free  people'.  This 
voluntary  trust,  so  confidingly  placed,  so  sacredly  re- 
posed, was  a  splendid  event  in  the  history  of  England-.- 
greatness — it  was  a  bright  reflection  on  the  records  ot 
her  virtues.  It  illuminated  a  page  in  her  chronicles, 
on  which  the  eye  of  posterity  might  have  dwelt  with 
transport !  It  placed  her  pre-eminent  among  cotempo- 
rary  nations.  Her  powerful  enemy,  against  whom  she 
had  successfully  armed  and  coalesced  the  civilized 
world,  chose  his  place  of  refuge,  in  the  hour  of  adver- 
sity, in  her  bosom,  because  he  knew  her  brave,  and 
believed  her  magnanimous. 

Alone,  in  his  desolate  dwelling ;  deprived  of  every 
solace  of  humanity  ;  torn  from  those  ties,  which  alone, 
throw  a  ray  of  brightness  over  the  darkest  shades  ol 
misfortune  ;  wanting  all  the  comforts,  and  many  of 
the  necessaries  of  life  ;  the  victim  of  the  caprice  of 
petty  delegated  power  ;  harassed  by  every  day  op- 
pression ;  mortified  by  mean,  reiterated  hourly  priva- 
tion ;  chained  to  a  solitary  and  inaccessible  rock,  with 
no  object  on  which  to  fix  his  attention,  but  the  sky,  to 
whose  inclemency  he  is  exposed,  or  that  little  spot  of 
earth,  within  whose  narrow  bounds  he  is  destined  to 
wear  away  the  dreary  hours  of  unvaried  captivity,  in 
hopeless,  cheerless,  life-consuming  misery.  Where 
now  is  his  faith  in  the  magnanimity  of  England  ?  his 
trust  in  her  generosity  ?  his  hopes  in  her  benefi- 
cence ? 

The  regret  we  felt  in  leaving  lLa  Grange,  was  pro- 
portioned to  the  expectations,  with  which  we  arrived 
before  its  gates,  to  the  pleasure  we  enjoyed  under  its 
roof.  It  is  a  memorable  event  in  the  life  of  ordinary 
beings,  to  be  permitted  a  proximate  view  of  a  great 
and  good  man !    It  is  a  refreshment  to  the  feelings, 


LA  FAYETTE.  42 W 


which  the  world  may  have  withered  ! — it  is  expansion 
to  the  mind,  which  the  world  may  have  narrowed! — 
It  chases  from  the  memory  the  traces  of  all  the  little- 
ness, the  low,  mean,  and  sordid  passions,  by  which  the 
multitudes  of  society  are  actuated ;  the  successes  of 
plodding  mediocrity  ;  the  triumphs  of  time-serving 
obsequiousness  ;  and  the  selfish  views  of  power  and 
ambition,  for  the  destruction  of  the  many,  and  the  de- 
basement of  all!  To  have  lived  under  the  roof  of  La 
Fayette  5  to  have  conversed  with  him,  and  listened 
to  him,  was  opening  a  splendid  page  in  the  history  ot 
man.  It  was  perused  with  edification  and  delight,  and 
its  impression  can  only  fade  with  memory  and  1  i f e » * ^ 


430  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  XI. 

ARRIVAL  OF  GENERAL  LA    FAYETTE  IN    THE  UNITED    STATES  IN 
1824.  — GRATEFUL  ACTS  OF  CONGRE8S  TOWARDS  HIM,  &C. 

It  had  long  been  the  desire  of  the  people  of  the 
United  States,  that  La  Fayette,  of  whom  every  indivi 
vidual  knew  something,  should  again  visit  the  country 
of  his  adoption.  During  his  absence  of  forty  years. 
most  of  those,  it  is  true,  who  had  suffered  the  hard 
ships  of '78  with  him,  had  passed  away.  But  their 
children  and  grand-children  had  been  taught  to  asso- 
ciate his  name  with  that  of  Washington ;  and  there 
still  remained  a  remnant  of  revolutionary  veterans, 
whose  strongest  wish  was  to  see  their  General  before 
they  died.  When,  therefore,  his  intention  of  visiting 
this  country  was  known,  a  sensation  of  pleasure  was 
felt,  throughout  the  nation. 

In  January,  1824,  Congress  passed  a  resolution,  au- 
thorising the  President  of  the  United  States  "  to  offer 
him  a  public  ship,  for  his  accommodation  ;  and  to  as- 
sure him,  in  the  name  of  the  people  of  this  great  Re 
public,  that  they  cherished  for  him  a  grateful  and  affec- 
tionate attachment." 

The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  in  June,  1824, 
passed  a  resolution,  requesting  the  Governour  to  make 
such  arrangements  as  would  secure  to  this  distinguish 
ed  friend  of  our  country,  an  honourable  reception,  on 
the  part  of  that  state  ;  and  authorising  him  to  draw 
from  the  treasury  a  sum  sufficient  to  meet  the  expenses. 
The  society  of  Cincinnati,  of  which  La  Fayette  is  a 
member,  voted  as  follows,  on  the  same  subject : 

"  It  being  reported,  that  General  La  Fayette,  an  ori  • 
ginal  member  of  the  society  of  Cincinnati,  intends  vi- 
siting the  United  States  in  the  course  of  the  present 
year,  voted,  that  a  committee  be  appointed,  to  consid 
er  what  measures  it  will  be  proper  for  this  Society  to 


LA  FAYETTE.  431 


idopt,  on  the  arrival  of  our  distinguished  brother ; 
whose  meritorious  and  disinterested  services  to  our 
country,  in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  cannot  be  too 
highly  appreciated ;  and  whose  whole  life  has  been 
devoted  to  the  vindication  of  the  rights  of  man." 

Before  La  Fayette  left  France,  letters  were  written 
him  by  the  Mayors  of  New  York  and  Boston,  in  be- 
half of  the  corporation  of  each  city  ;  expressive  of  the 
sensation  which  a  knowledge  of  his  intended  visit  had 
excited,  and  requesting  the  honour  of  receiving  him 
at  their  respective  cities. 

La  Fayette  declined  accepting  the  invitation  of 
Government,  to  take  his  passage  in  a  public  ship. 
On  this  subject  he  writes  to  the  Mayor  of  Boston  : — 
*k  But  while  I  profoundly  feel  the  honour  intended  by 
the  offer  of  a  national  ship,  I  hope  I  shall  incur  no 
blame,  by  the  determination  I  have  taken,  to  embark, 
as  soon  as  it  is  in  my  power,  on  board  a  private  ves- 
sel," 

It  being  uncertain  in  what  part  of  the  United  States, 
ihe  vessel  which  conveyed  him  would  first  arrive,  sev- 
eral of  the  commercial  cities  made  preparation  to  re- 
ceive him  in  a  manner  which  so  great  and  joyful  an 
occasion  required. 

As  the  time  approached,  on  which  it  was  supposed 
La  Fayette  would  arrive,  the  whole  nation  was  in  a 
state  of  anxious  and  inquiring  expectation.  In  those 
cities,  particularly,  where  he  might  be  expected  to 
land,  and  each  of  which  anxiously  desired  the  honour 
of  first  entertaining  him,  the  suspense  produced  strong 
emotions.  At  length,  the  joyful  intelligence  spread 
with  inconceivable  rapidity  throughout  the  country, 
•'  La  Fayette  has  arrived." 

He  came  in  the  packet  Cadmus,  Capt.  Allen,  from 
Havre,  and  arrived  in  the  harbour  of  New  York,  ac- 
companied by  his  son,  and  M.  L.  Vasseur,  on  the 
15th  of  August.  At  the  entrance  of  the  harbour,  the 
three  gentlemen  were  received    on   board  a  steam- 


432  MEMOIRS  OF 


boat,  and  the  day  being  Sunday,  they  were  conducted 
to  the  house  of  Vice  President  Tompkins,  on  Staten 
FsJand.  On  the  next  day,  Gen.  La  Fayette  was  re- 
ceived at  the  city  of  New  York  with  a  degree  of  splen- 
dour and  enthusiasm  unknown  in  the  country  on  any 
former  occasion.  From  New  York,  La  Fayette  pas- 
sed through  the  country  to  Boston,  constantly  receiv- 
ing the  most  enthusiastic  congratulations  of  the  people. 
Not  only  at  every  place  where  he  stopped,  but  as  he 
passed  along  the  road,  thousands  came  to  catch  a 
glimpse  of  him,  and  bid  "  Welcome  La  Fayette." 
Having  visited  most  of  the  principal  towns  in  Massa- 
chusetts, New  Hampshire,  Rhode  Island  and  Connect- 
icut, he  returned  again  to  New  York.  During  this 
tour,  it  is  impossible  to  convey  in  general  terms  an  ad- 
equate idea  of  the  excitement  into  which  the  country 
was  thrown.  Committees  were  constantly  arriving 
from  distant  towns  at  the  places  where  he  stopped,  to 
solicit  the  honour  of  receiving  him,  and  to  know  on 
what  day  and  at  what  hour  his  arrival  might  be  expect- 
ed. In  some  instances,  gentlemen  residing  at  a  dis- 
tance from  his  route,  directed  the  news  of  his  approach 
to  be  sent  them  by  expresses.  Meantime  the  General 
was  so  obliging  as  to  allow  himself  to  be  transported 
with  the  utmost  rapidity  from  place  to  place,  often 
travelling  most  of  the  night,  so  as  not  to  disappoint  the 
anxious  expectations  of  the  people.  From  New  York 
the  General  went  to  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Wash- 
ington, &c,  constantly  receiving  from  the  people  the 
same  cordial  welcome,  and  witnessing  the  same  de- 
monstrations of  joy  wherever  he  went. 

But  the  feelings  of  the  nation  demanded  that  some- 
thing more  should  be  done  for  General  La  Fayette, 
than  could  be  expressed  by  acclamations  alone.  This 
love  of  liberty  had  been  the  means  of  depriving  him  of 
a  great  proportion  of  his  fortune.  When,  during  our 
revolution,  the  country  was  so  exhausted  as  to  be  una- 
ble to  clothe  or  feed  her  little  army,  La  Fayette  Hot  only 


LA  FAYETTE.  433 


j;ave  all  his  pay  to  government,  but  advanced  money 
which  never  was  refunded  :  so  that,  in  addition  to  the 
debt  of  gratitude,  the  nation  owed  him  for  advance- 
ment made  during  her  necessities.  It  was  the  exer- 
cise of  the  same  leading  principle,  (the  love  of  liberty) 
which  occasioned  the  confiscation  of  his  estates  in 
France,  when  the  jacobin  faction  controlled  the  king- 
dom. 

Under  every  consideration,  the  nation  was  bound  to 
>hew  La  Fayette,  and  the  world,  that  in  the  prosperi- 
ty of  his  adopted  country,  his  former  services  were  re- 
membered with  too  much  gratitude  to  be  passed  over 
without  some  permanent  mark  of  national  beneficence. 

The  President  of  the  Uuited  States,  therefore,  in  his 
message  to  Congress,  at  the  opening  of  the  last  session, 
recommended  in  appropriate  terms,  the  consideration 
of  General  La  Fayette's  eminent  services  to  the  coun- 
try, and  requested  that  the  legislative  body  of  the  na- 
tion would  devise  *ome  means  of  making  him  at  least  a 
partial  remuneration.  Agreeably  to  this  recommend- 
ation, Congress  appointed  a  committee  to  deliberate 
on  the  subject,  and  on  the  20th  of  December,  "  Mr. 
Hayne,  from  the  committee  appointed  on  so  much  of 
the  President's  message  as  relates  to  making  provision 
for  the  services  of  General  La  Fayette,  reported  the 
following  bill : — 

"  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Represent- 
atives of  the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled,  That 
the  sum  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  be,  and  the 
same  is  hereby  granted  to  Major  General  La  Fayette, 
in  compensation  for  his  important  services  and  expen- 
ditures during  the  American  Revolution  ;  and  that  for 
this  purpose  a  stock  to  that  amount  be  issued  in  his 
favour,  dated  the  4th  of  July,  1824,  bearing  an  annual 
interest  of  six  per  cent.,  payable  quarter  yearly,  and 
redeemable  on  the  31st  of  December,  1834. 

M  Sect.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  one  com- 
plete Township  of  land  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby 

37 


434  MEMOIRS  OF 


granted  to  the  said  Major  General  La  Fayette  ;  and 
that  the  President  of  the  United  States  be  authorized 
to  cause  the  said  township  to  be  located  on  any  of  the 
public  lands  which  remain  unsold  ;  and  that  patents 
be  issued  to  General  La  Fayette  for  the  same." 

On  the  21st  this  bill  was  made  the  order  of  the  day 
»n  the  Senate,  and  the  following  debate  on  it,  extract- 
ed from  the  journals  of  Congress,  will  tend  to  shew 
■with  how  much  reason  the  bill  was  passed  : 
Senate — Tuesday,  December  21. 

"  The  Senate  proceeded,  as  in  committee  of  the 
whole,  to  the  consideration  o(  the  bill  making  provision 
for  the  services  and  expenditures  of  General  La  Fay- 
ette. 

Mr.  Hayne,  (of  S.  C.)  in  reply  to  Messrs.  Macon  and 
Brown  who  objected  to  the  bill,  remarked,  that  the 
observations  made  by  the  honourable  gentlemen,  ren- 
dered it  his  duty,  though  it  was  done  with  regret,  as 
he  had  hoped  the  bill  would  pass  without  opposition, 
as  chairman  of  the  committee,  to  submit  the  principles 
on  which  the  committee  had  proceeded  in  presenting 
the  present  bill.  He  trusted  that  he  should  be  able  to 
satisfy  the  scruples  of  the  Hon.  gentlemen,  and  that 
there  would  be  no  necessity  of  recommitting  the  bill. 

With  regard  to  the  objections  made  by  his  friend  on 
his  right,  (Mr.  Macon,)  they  affected  the  making  any 
compensation,  under  any  circumstances  whatever,  to 
individuals,  either  for  services  rendered  or  sacrifices 
made.  He  understood  he  had  said,  it  was  immaterial 
whether  an  individual  should  have  spent  his  substance 
in  the  service  of  his  country — should  have  put  his  hand 
in  his  purse  and  paid  the  expenses  of  the  war,  still  that 
for  such  services  no  compensation  could  be  made. 

He  could  show  that  this  was  the  fact — that  it  was 
precisely  the  case  with  regard  to  General  La  Fayette. 
He  had  expended  his  fortune  in  our  service,  and  he 
should  contend  it  was  right,  it  was  necessary— they 
were  called  on  by  duty  to  themselves,  at  least  to  re- 


LA  FAYETTE.  43; 


fund  the  expenses  to  which  he  had  been  subjected. 
Mr.  Hayne  proceeded  to  say,  that  he  held  documents 
in  his  hand  which  it  became  his  duty  to  submit  to  the 
Senate — documents  derived  from  the  highest  authori- 
ty. The  paper  he  held  in  his  hand  contained  accounts 
from  the  proper  officers,  showing  the  expenses  of  La 
Fayette,  and  pointing  out  the  manner  in  which  his  es- 
tate had  been  dissipated  in  the  service  of  liberty.  In 
the  year  1777,  he  had  an  annual  income  of  146,000 
francs,  equal  to  22,700  dollars.  This  had  been  almost 
entirely  expended  in  the  services  which  he  had  render- 
ed to  liberty,  in  this  and  the  other  hemisphere.  Du- 
ring a  period  of  six  years,  from  the  year  1777,  to  1783, 
he  had  expended,  in  the  American  service,  700,000 
francs,  equal  to  1 40,000  dollars.  This  document,  said 
Mr.  Hayne,  is  derived  from  the  most  authentic  sources 
in  France,  and  has  come  into  my  hands  from  a  respect- 
able member  of  this  House,  without  the  knowledge  or 
consent  of  the  General  and  his  friends. 

The  fact  to  which  he  called  their  attention  was,  that 
during  the  six  years  the  General  had  been  engaged  in 
the  service,  he  had  expended  140,000  dollars  of  his 
fortune  ;  he  was  in  a  state  of  prosperity,  and  in  the  en- 
joyment of  a  plentiful  fortune  in  his  own  country,  when 
he  resolved  to  come  to  this.  He  purchased  a  ship, 
raised,  equipped,  armed  and  clothed  a  regiment  at  his 
own  expense,  and  when  he  landed  on  these  coasts,  he 
came  freighted  with  the  munitions  of  war,  which  he 
distributed  gratuitously  to  our  army.  It  is  on  record 
that  he  clothed  and  put  shoes  on  the  feet  of  the  naked, 
suffering,  soldiers  of  America,  and  that  during  six  year.* 
he  sacrificed  140,000  dollars.  He  asked  for  no  com 
pensation — he  made  out  no  account — he  received  no 
pay — he  spent  his  fortune  for  this  country,  and  not  on 
ly  gave  his  services,  but  hazarded  his  life  in  its  de- 
fence, shed  his  blood  in  its  service,  and  returned  home 
broken  in  his  fortune.  What  did  Government  do? 
After  the  war,  in  1794.   they  gave  him  the  full  pay  «■« 


436  MEMOIRS  OF 


a  Major  General,  to  which  he  was  entitled  twelve  or 
fourteen  years  before.  If  any  American  citizen  had 
done  as  much  and  had  brought  in  an  account  stating 
he  had  expended  140,000  dollars, and  made  application 
for  compensation,  would  it  not  have  been  granted  '.' 
Indeed  if  we  were  to  make  out  an  account  current  of 
the  expenses  and  sacrifices  of  the  General,  it  would  far 
exceed  the  sum  now  proposed.  But  he  never  render- 
ed a  claim  :  he  would  have  starved  ere  he  would  have 
done  it. 

I  have  other  documents,  said  Mr.  Hayne,  to  which 
1  shall  briefly  refer.  There  is  one  fact  which  show.- 
how  alive  he  was  to  every  honourable  sentiment.  He 
has  made  sacrifices  that  can  never  be  repaid.  Con- 
gress, in  their  gratitude,  made  him  a  donation  of  1 1,000 
acres  of  land,  which  at  the  value  of  lands  at  that  lime, 
was  not  worth  more  than  11,000  dollars;  and  by  an 
act  in  1304,  they  authorized  him  to  locate  this  land  on 
any  spot  in  the  United  States,  that  might  be  vacant  : 
and  his  agent  accordingly  located  it  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  New  Orleans.  In  1807,  Congress  passed  an 
act,  confirming  the  title  to  the  city  council  of  New  Or- 
leans of  all  lands  within  six  hundred  yards  of  i|f  limits. 

Part  of  the  land  belonging  to  General  La  Fayette 
was  included  in  this  grant,  and  on  the  fact  being  com- 
municated to  him  in  France  by  his  agent,  accompanied 
by  legal  advice  of  the  validity  of  his  title,  he  replied, 
that  it  was  not  for  him  to  inquire  into  the  circumstan- 
ces, but  that  he  receiving  bounty  from  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  could  only  receive  it  as 
they  chose  to  give  it ;  and  directed  his  agent  to  enter 
a  relinquishment  of  the  land  in  question.  This  land, 
according  to  the  estimate  of  gentlemen  from  Louisia- 
na is  now  worth  500,000  dollars.  But  there  is  anoth- 
er circumstance  to  be  stated  :  having  located  the  land, 
he  made  a  contract  with  an  Irish  Baronet  for  the  sale 
of  a  portion  of  it,  and  he  afterwards  made  it  his  busi- 
ness to  find  him  out — he  relinquished  his  own   right. 


LA  FAYETTE  W 


and,  at  his  own  expense,  induced  him  to  relinquish  ev- 
ery legal  claim  that  he  could  have  upon  the  United 
States.  This  relinquishment  was  on  file  in  the  land 
office,  and  Mr.  Hayne  submitted  the  documents  to  the 
examination  of  the  Senate. 

These  claims  appear  certainly  in  a  very  strong,  and 
he  might  say,  irresistible  shape  before  the  Senate. 
His  honourable  friend,  on  the  right,  had  said  that  we 
treat  this  gentleman  better  than  we  do  our  native  sons, 
but  it  appeared  that  they  barely  did  him  justice.  Did 
the  gentleman  doubt  that  this  government  were  in  the 
habit  of  making  remuneration  for  sacrifices  and  servi- 
ces— he  would  refer  to  an  act  passed  in  1700,  granting 
compensation  to  Frederick  William  Baron  Steuben, 
for  sacrifices  and  services. 

Mr.  Hayne  proceeded  to  refer  to  many  instances 
where  the  government  had  not  only  granted  pecuniary 
assistance,  but  had  granted  a  whole  township  of  land 
for  sacrifices  and  services.  He  was  not  one  of  those 
who  were  afraid  of  making  precedents — a  good  prece- 
dent can  never  do  evil;  and  when  nations  as  well  as 
individuals,  gave  way  to  the  noblest  feelings  of  our  na- 
ture, they  best  promoted  the  glory  of  the  country  and 
the  welfare  of  the  people  ;  but  the  case  of  La  Fayette 
could  form  no  precedent — it  stood  alone.  Could  this 
country  be  born  again — could  it  assume  a  second  child- 
hood, and  be  placed  in  circumstances  similar  to  those 
in  which  it  had  formerly  been  ?  If  this  were  possible, 
if  it  could  be  reduced  again  to  equal  distress,  be  strug- 
gling for  existence,  about  to  perish,  without  funds,  arms, 
clothing,  or  ammunition,  and  looking  around  for  help — 
if,  under  such  circumstances,  a  foreign  nobleman 
should  step  forth  and  devote  his  life  and  fortune  toher 
service,  sacrificing  every  thing,  and  shedding  his  biood 
in  her  behalf,  and,  while  the  scale  was  depressed, 
throwing  himself  into  the  balance,  and  deciding  its  fate 
— surely,  such  a  man  would  be  entitled  to  the  traina* 
<st  gratitude  of  the  country. 

37  * 


433  MEMOIRS  OF 


He  thought  this  a  case  of  its  own  kind  and  could 
never  happen  again — but,  if  it  could,  they  would  follow 
the  brilliant  example  which  would  this  day  be  set. 
With  regard  to  the  objection  to  the  thing  itself,  the 
honourable  gentleman  from  Ohio  wished  it  to  be  re- 
committed for  some  emendations,  but  he  had  not  pro- 
posed  any  instructions  to  the  committee,  and  they 
were  ignorant  of  what  he  desired.  He  knew  there 
was  a  very  large  majority  in  both  Houses  of  Congress, 
and  an  overwhelming  majority  among  the  people,  who 
desired  that  some  such  expression  should  be  given  of 
the  public  feeling.  The  only  difference  was,  as  to  the 
mode  of  doing  it,  and  the  amount.  And  where  so  ma- 
ny concur,  it  was  necessary  that  individuals  should  sa- 
crifice their  private  opinions  on  the  subject. 

It  was  impossible  to  devise  a  scheme  which  should 
satisfy  every  one  ;  for  there  would  always  be  found 
some  one  to  raise  objections — whether  the  intended 
donation  should  be  in  money,  stock,  or  lands.  He 
could  assure  them  that  the  committee  had  taken  the 
greatest  pains,  and  had  not  been  able  to  devise  any 
plan  which  could  approach  nearer  to  the  general  sen- 
timent, than  the  one  they  had  adopted.  Their  object 
was  to  make  such  an  appropriation  as  should  comfort 
his  declining  years,  and  smooth  his  path  to  the  grave. 
It  would  be  besides,  a  perpetual  monument  of  their 
gratitude.  The  stock  would  remain  on  the  books  to 
the  last  ;  and  when  they  had  redeemed  all  other  debts, 
then  they  would  redeem  the  debt  of  gratitude  which 
they  owed  to  this  distinguished  soldier.  A  tract  of 
land  would  have  a  tendency  to  keep  him  amongst  us, 
and  would  be  a  portion  for  his  children.  It  would  al- 
so add  to  the  grace  of  the  gift,  and  the  impression  it 
would  produce.  It  was  his  opinion  that  the  public  acts 
ought  to  be  done  gracefully.  It  would  make  a  favor- 
able impression  abroad. 

Mr.  Hayne  said  he  would  solicit  his  friends  to  re- 
linquish their  private  opinions  on  this  occasion.     Such 


LA  FAYETTE.  439 


an  act  as  this,  to  be  well  done,  should  be  delicately  and 
promptly  managed ;  and  he  hoped,  as  this  was  the 
general  sense,  they  would  yield.  Something  must  be 
done  for  national  feeling.  To  send  him  back  to 
France,  without  making  any  provision  for  him,  would 
leave  him  to  linger  out  his  last  days  in  poverty,  and 
make  him  a  public  spectacle  for  all  Europe — you 
leave  him  without  means  of  obtaining  those  acts  of 
kindness  and  attention  so  useful  and  necessary  in  the 
decline  of  life. 

Mr.  Macon  said  he  did  not  like  the  President's  xMes- 
>age.  He  did  not  know  the  opinion  of  others  on  the 
subject,  he  only  spoke  to  satisfy  himself.  Whatever 
ibey  might  choose  to  think,  he  conceived  it  a  public 
duty  to  speak  as  he  did.  He  had  had  no  conversation 
with  others  on  the  subject.  A  man  who  risks  all  loses 
all.  He  had  no  doubt  about  every  word  of  the  manu- 
scripts his  friend  had  in  his  hand,  and  there  was  no  oc- 
casion to  tell  him  they  did  not  come  from  La  Fayette 
himself. 

At  the  suggestion  of  some  friends,  Mr.  Brown  said 
he  would  withdraw  his  motion,  and  the  bill  was  order- 
ed to  be  engrossed  for  a  third  reading  to-day  :  and  on 
the  question — shall  the  bill  pass  ?  Mr,  Noble  called  for 
the  Ayes  and  Noes,  not  being  able  to  give  his  sanction 
to  it. 

The  Ayes  and  Noes  were  demanded  by  one  fifth  of 
the  whole  number  present ;  and  those  who  voted  in 
the  affirmative  were, 

Messrs.  Barbour,  Boligny,  Chandler,  Dickerson, 
Eaton,  Edwards,  Elliot,  Findlay,  Gaillard,  Hayne, 
Holmes  of  Maine,  Holmes  of  Mississippi,  Johnson  of 
Kentucky,  Johnson  of  Louisiana,  Kelly,  King  of  Ala- 
bama, King  of  New  York,  Knight,  Lanman,  Lloyd  of 
Md.  Lloyd  of  Mass.  Lowrie,  Jackson,  McLean,  Mills, 
Palmer,  Parrott,  Seymor,  Smith,  Talbot,  Taylor, 
Thomas,  Van  Buren,  Van  Dyke,  Williams. — 37. 


440  MEMOIRS  OF 

Noes — Messrs.  Barton,  Bell,  Brown,  Cobb,  Macon. 
Noble,  Ruggles. — 7. 

The  bill  thus  passed  the  Senate." 

The  bill  having  passed  both  Houses,  a  committee 
was  appointed  from  each  to  wait  on  the  General  and 
present  him  with  a  copy  of  the  act.  The  following 
extract  from  (he  journal  of  the  House  contains  the  ad- 
dress and  reply  on  that  occasion  : 

Senate. — Monday ,  January  3. 

Mr.  Smith,  from  the  joint  committee  of  both  Houses, 
appointed  to  wait  on  General  La  Fayette,  with  a  copy 
of  the  act  concerning  him,  reported  that  the  Commit- 
tee waited  on  him  at  12  o'clock,  and  presented  him 
with  a  copy  of  the  act,  and  with  a  copy  of  the  res- 
olutions of  both  Houses  ;  and  that  the  General  return- 
ed an  answer. 

The  address  of  the  committee  was  read,  and,  with 
the  answer  of  the  General,  ordered  to  be  noticed  on 
the  journal. 

General  :  We  are  a  Committee  of  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives,  charged  with  the  office  of 
informing  you  of  the  passage  of  an  act,  a  copy  of 
which  we  now  present.  You  will  perceive,  from  this 
act,  Sir,  that  the  two  Houses  of  Congress,  aware  of 
the  large  pecuniary  as  well  as  other  sacrifices  which 
your  long  and  arduous  devotion  to  the  cause  of  free- 
dom has  cost  you,  have  deemed  it  their  privilege  to 
reimburse  a  portion  of  them  as  having  been  incurred 
in  part  on  account  of  the  United  States.  The  prin- 
ciples which  have  marked  your  character  will  not 
permit  you  to  oppose  any  objection  to  the  discharge 
of  so  much  of  the  national  obligation  to  you  as  admits 
of  it.  We  are  directed  to  express  to  you  the  confi- 
dence as  well  as  request  of  the  two  Houses  of  Congress, 
that  you  will,  by  an  acquiescence  in  their  wishes  in 
this  respect,  add  another  to  the  many  signal  proofs  you 
have  offered  of  your  esteem  for  a  people  whose  es- 


LA  FAYETTE.  44 i 


teem  for  you  can  never  cease  until  they  have  ceased 
to  prize  the  liberty  they  enjoy,  and  to  venerate  the  vir- 
tues by  which  it  was  acquired.  We  have  only  to  sub- 
join an  expression  of  our  gratification  in  being  the 
organs  of  this  communication,  and  of  the  distinguish- 
ed personal  respect  with  which  we  are,  your  obedient 
servants, 

S.  SMITH,  >       Committee 

ROBERT  V.  HAYNE,     }        of  the 
D.  BOULIGNY,  )        Senate. 

W.S.ARCHER,  >    Committee 

S.  VAN  RENSSELAER,  }        of  the 
PHILIP  S.  MARKLEY,   )     H.  of  R. 
Washington,  January  1,  1825. 

To  this  address  of  the  Committee,  the  General  re- 
turned the  following  answer  : 

Gentlemen  of  the  Committee   of  both    Houses   of  Con- 
gress : 

The  immense  and  unexpected  gift,  which,  in  ad- 
dition to  former  and  considerable  bounties,  it  has 
pleased  Congress  to  confer  upon  me,  calls  for  the 
warmest  acknowledgments  of  an  old  American  sol- 
dier, an  adopted  son  of  the  United  States,  two  titles 
dearer  to  my  heart  than  all  the  treasures  in  the  world. 
However  proud  I  am  of  every  sort  of  obligation 
received  from  the  people  of  the  United  States,  and 
their  Representatives  in  Congress  the  large  extent  of 
this  benefaction  might  have  created  in  my  mind  feel- 
ing of  hesitation,  not  inconsistent,  I  hope,  with  those 
of  the  most  grateful  reverence.  But  the  so  very  kind 
resolutions  of  both  Houses,  delivered  by  you,  gentle- 
men, in  terms  of  equal  kindness,  precludes  all  other 
sentiments  except  those  of  (he  lively  and  profound 
gratitude  of  which,  in  respectfully  accepting  the  mu- 
nificent favor,  I  have  the  honour  to  beg  you  will  be 
the  organs. 

Permit  me  al?o,  gentlemen,  to  join  a  tender  of  my 


442  MEMOIRS  OF 


affectionate  personal  thanks  to  the  expression  of  the 
highest  respect,  with  which  I  have  the  honor  to  be. 
your  obedient  servant, 

LA   FAYETTE. 


The  following  anecdote  of  the  General  serves  to 
shew  his  modesty,  candour,  and  attachment  to  repub- 
lican economy : — 

A  member  of  Congress,  conversing  with  the  Gener- 
al on  the  proceedings  of  Congress,  and  delicately  apol- 
ogising for  the  opposition  which  the  appropriation  in 
his  favor  had  experienced  in  that  body,  the  Genera!, 
with  great  naivette,  and  never-failing  presence  of  mind, 
interrupted  him  with  this  happy  remark  :  "  I,  Sir,  am 
one  of  the  opposition.  The  gift  is  so  munificent,  so  far 
exceeding  the  services  of  the  individual,  that  had  1  been 
a  member  of  Congress,  I  must  have  voted  against  it." 


Account  of  General  La  Fayette's  journey  through  the  United 
States,  in  1824.* 

There  probably  is  not,  in  the  records  of  history,  an  instance 
where  any  individual,  of  whatever  rank,  ever  received  the  uni- 
ted, spontaneous,  and  universal  applause,  which  the  Americans 
bestowed  on  La  Fayette.  Nor  is  it  at  all  probable  that  there 
ever  again  will  be  a  similar  instance.  The  circumstances  of  the 
case  are  so  peculiar  as  to  form  a  chain  of  relations,  altogether 
without  the  bounds  of  probability.  A  young  man  of  fortune, 
leaves  his  wife,  family  and  country,  and  crosses  oceans  at  his 
own  expense,  to  subject  himself  to  all  the  horrors  and  perils  of 
war,  for  the  abstract  love  of  liberty.  He  escaped  not  only  the 
hazards  of  the  American  revolution,  but  was  preserved  during 
that,  which  deluged  his  own  country  in  blood.  During  this  time 
a  [nice  was  set  on  his  head.  He  underwent  for  years  all  the 
privations  and  exposures  of  a  loathsome  dungeon— and  after  his 
release,  he  was  exposed,  as  a  known  republican,  to  all  the  ma- 
chinations of  that  reign  of  blood. 

Meantime  the  Americans,  instead  of  being  tributary  colnnies, 
as  he  found  us  forty-five  years  since,  had  become,  in  territory, 
riches,  population,  and  commerce,  one  of  the  powerful  nations 
of  the  earth. 

Taking  all  these  circumstances  together,  an  occasion  similar 
to  the  arrival  of  La  Fayette  in  the  United  States,  has  never  yet 
occurred. 

It  has  already  been  stated,  that  he  came  in  the  ship  Cadmus, 
Capt.  Allen,  and  arrived  in  the  harbour  of  New- York,  on  the 
15th  of  August.  On  the  next  day,  preparations  having  been 
made  to  receive  him  at  the  city, 

"  At  an  early  hour,  the  whole  city  was  in  motion  ;  almost  ev- 
ery man,  woman  and  child  was  preparing  to  witness  the  landing 
of  their  much  respected  guest.  The  shops  and  stores  were  clo- 
sed, and  all  business  was  suspended  for  the  day.  The  ringing 
of  bells,  the  roar  of  cannon,  and  the  display  of  the  national  flag, 
at  all  public  places  and  on  board  the  shipping,  proclaimed  that  it 
was  a  day  of  joy,  in  which  all  were  anxious  to  partake.  Before 
12  o'clock,  the  battery,  the  adjoining  wharves  and  every  place 
commanding  a  view  of  the  passage  from  Staten  Island,  were 
crowded  to  excess.  It  was  supposed  there  were  nearly  50,000 
persons  upon  the  battery,  including  the   troops.     This  elegant 

^  *  For  this  account,  we  must,  of  course,  depend  chiefly  on  the 
Newspapers  published  at  the  time  ;  but  it  was  unnecessary  to 
give  the  name  of  each  paper  from  which  extracts  are  made. 


144  APPENDIX. 


promenade,  since  its  enlargement,  is  said  to  be  capable  of  hold- 
ing- nearly  the  whole  population  of  the  city,  (130,000,)  but  a  large 
portion  of  the  front  was  occupied  by  the  brigade  of  artillery  and 
other  troops.  The  castle  garden,  almost  contiguous  to  the 
battery,  and  its  gallery,  were  also  crowded  by  the  citizens. 

Between  10  and  II  o'clock,  a  large  steam  ship,  manned  with 
about  200  United  States  seamen,  and  decorated  with  the  flags  of 
every  nation,  sailed  for  Staten  Island.  She  was  followed  by  six 
large  steam  boats,  all  crowded  with  passengers,  decorated  with 
flags,  and  enlivened  by  bands  of  music.  In  one  of  these,  which 
exhibited  only  flags  of  the  United  States  and  of  the  Stale  of  New 
York,  proceeded  the  committee  of  arrangements  of  ihe  city,  the 
officers  of  the  United  States  army  and  navy,  the  general  officers 
of  the  militia,  the  committee  of  the  Society  of  Cincinnati,  <SfC 
On  board  this  steam  boat-  General  La  Fayette  embarked  at 
Staten  Island,  for  the  city,  at  about  one  o'clock.  This  was  an- 
nounced by  a  salute  from  the  largest  steam  ship,  manned  by  the 
national  troops,  and  from  fort  La  Fayette.  The  procession  then 
moved  for  the  city,  and  presented  to  its  inhabitants  a  most  beau- 
tiful and  magnificent  scene.  About  two  o'clock  the  General 
landed  at  the  battery,  where  he  was  received  by  a  salute  from 
the  troops,  and  the  hearty  and  reiterated  cheers  of  the  immense 
throng  which  had  assembled  to  welcome  him  to  our  shores. 

It  is  impossible  fully  to  describe  the  enthusiasm  of  joy  which 
pervaded  and  was  expressed  by  the  whole  multitude.  Here  the 
General  had  a  fair  specimen  of  the  affection  and  respect,  which 
is  felt  for  him  by  every  individual  of  this  extended  country.  He 
seemed  much  moved  by  these  expressions  of  attachment,  and 
bowed  continually  to  the  people  who  pressed  about  him.  After 
resting  a  (cxv  moments  at  the  castle  garden,  he  proceeded  in  an 
elegant  barouche  drawn  by  four  horses,  escorted  by  the  dragoons 
and  troops,  through  Broadway  to  the  City  Hall.  The  windows, 
balconies,  and  even  the  roofs  of  the  houses  were  filled  with  la- 
dies, all  welcoming  the  General  as  he  passed,  by  their  smiles 
and  waving  of  handkerchiefs. 

At  about  4  o'clock,  the  procession  arrived  at  the  City  Hall, 
where  General  La  Fayette  was  received  by  the  Mayor  and 
Common  Council,  and  formally  welcomed  and  congratulated  on 
his  safe  arrival  in  the  country.  After  receiving  the  marching 
salute  of  the  troops  in  front  of  the  City  Hall,  he  was  conducted 
to  the  City  Hotel,  where  he  dined  with  the  members  of  the  cor- 
poration. In  the  evening,  the  front  of  the  City  Hotel,  and  many 
other  adjoining  buildings,  were  handsomely  illuminated.  The 
theatres  and  public  gardens  displayed  transparencies,  fire- works 
and  rockets  in  honor  of  the  occasion."— The  committee  of  the 
Cincinnati  waited  on  General  La  Fayette,  at  Staten  Island  ,  and 
were  received  by  him  with  peculiar  marks  of  affection  and 
friendship.  The  committee  consisted  of  several  field  officers 
of  the  revolutionary  army,  some  of  whom  were  upwards  of 
eighty  years  of  age. 


APPENDIX.  445 


The  following  is  the  address  of  the  Mayor  of  New  York,  to 
General  La  Fayette,  when  he  arrived  at  the  city  Hall . 

In  the  name  of  the  municipal  authority  of  the  city,  I  bid  you 
a  sincere  welcome  to  the  shores  of  a  country,  of  whose  freedom 
and  happiness  you  will  ever  be  considered  one  of  the  most  hon- 
oured and  beloved  founders.  Your  contemporaries  in  arms,  of 
whom  indeed  but  few  remain,  have  not  forgot,  and  their  pros- 
perity will  never  forget  the  young  and  gallant  Frenchman,  who 
consecrated  his  youth,  his  talents,  his  fortune  and  his  exertions 
to  their  cause ;  who  exposed  his  life,  who  shed  his  blood,  that 
they  might  be  free  and  happy.  They  will '  recollect  with  pro- 
found emotions,  so  long  as  they  remain  worthy  of  the  liberties 
they  enjoy,  and  of  the  exertions  you  made  to  obtain  them,  that 
you  came  to  them  in  the  darkest  period  of  their  struggle;  that 
you  linked  yourfjortune  with  theirs,  when  it  seemed  almost  hope- 
less ;  that  you  shared  in  the  dangers,  privations  and  sufferings 
of  that  bitter  struggle  ;  nor  quitted  them  for  a  moment  till  it 
was  consummated  on  the  glorious  field  of  Yorktown.  Haifa 
century  has  elapsed  since  that  great  event,  and  in  that  time 
your  name  has  become  as  dear  to  the  friends,  as  it  is  inseparably 
connected  with  the  cause  of  freedom,  both  in  the  old  and  in  the 
new  world. 

The  people  of  the  United  States  look  up  to  you  as  to  one  of 
their  most  honored  parents — the  country  cherishes  you  as  one 
of  the  most  beloved  of  her  sons.  I  hope  and  trust,  Sir,  that 
not  only  the  present,  but  the  future  conduct  of  my  countrymen, 
to  the  latest  period  of  time,  will,  among  other  slanders,  refute 
the  unjust  imputation,  that  republics  are  always  ungrateful  to 
their  benefactors. 

In  behalf  of  my  fellow  citizens  of  New  York,  and  speaking 
the  warm  and  universal  sentiments  of  the  whole  people  of  the 
United  States,  I  repeat  their  welcome,  to  our  common  country."  % 

To  this  address,  General  La  Fayette  made  the  following 
reply. 

"Sir, 

"  While  I  am  so  affectionately  received  by  the  citizens  of 
New  York  and  their  worthy  representatives,  I  feel  myself  over- 
whelmed with  inexpressible  emotions.  The  sight  of  the  Ameri- 
can shore,  after  so  long  an  absence :  the  recollection  of  the 
many  respected  friends  and  dear  companions,  no  more  to  be 
found  on  this  land ;  the  pleasure  to  recognize  those  who  sur- 
vive ;  the  immense  concourse  of  a  free  republican  population, 
who  so  kindly  welcome  me  ;  the  admirable  appearance  of  the 
troops  ;  the  presence  of  a  corps  of  the  national  navy  ;  have 
excited  sentiments,  to  which  no  language  is  adequate.  You 
have  been  pleased,  Sir,  to  allude  to  the  happiest  times,  the  un- 
alloyed enjoyment  of  my  public  life.  It  is  the  pride  of  my  heart 
to  have  been  one  of  the  earliest  adopted  sons  of  America.  1  am 
proud,  also,  to  add,  that  upwards  of  forty  years  ago  I  was  hon- 
ored with  the  freedom  of  this  city.  I  oeg  you,  Sir ;  I  beg  you 
38 


446  APPENDIX. 


gentlemen,  to  accept  yourselves,  and  to  transmit  to  the  citizen? 
of  New  York,  the  homage  of  my  profound  and  everlasting 
gratitude,  devotion  and  respect." 

On  the  two  following-  days,  a  great  number  of  the  citizen? 
of  New-York  and  its  vicinity,  were  introduced  to  the  General. 
He  received  also,  addresses  from  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati ; 
from  the  Historical  Society — visited  the  navy  yard,  and  went  on 
board  the  Washington,  74.  On  Thursday,  addresses  from  the 
Frenchmen  residing-  in  the  city  of  New -York,  and  from  the  gen- 
tlemen of  the  Bar  were  presented  to  him. 

Having  remained  four  days  in  New  York,  during  which  time 
an  immense  number  oi  citizens,  ladies  as  well  as  gentlemen,  of 
all  ages  and  classes,  were  introduced  to  him,  and  had  the  plea- 
sure of  touching  his  hand.  His  reception  of  the  veterans  of  the 
revolution,  with  whom  he  had  been  associated,  during  their 
struggle  for  freedom,  was  peculiarly  touching.  He  embraced 
them  all  with  emotion,  and  in  some  instances  in  silence.  Gen. 
La  Fayette  left  New- York  for  Boston  on  the  2 1st.  While  there, 
he  had  received  invitations  from  Philadelphia,  Albany,  New- 
Haven,  and  Hartford,  to  visit  those  cities,  but  he  had  made  his 
Arrangements  previously,  to  be  in  Boston  at  the  commencement 
of  the  Cambridge  University,  and  therefore  could  not  with  pro- 
priety delay  his  visit  there.  His  route  lay  through  New- Haven, 
New-London,  and  Providence.  The  General's  suite  consisted 
of  George  Washington  La  Fayette,  his  son  ;  M.  Le  Vasseur. 
his  friend,  who  came  with  him  from  France,  and  four  Aldermen 
of  the  city  of  New  York.  The  corporation  of  the  city  provided 
him  with  an  elegant  carriage,  to  convey  him  to  Boston.  The 
inhabitants  of  New  Haven  expected  that  La  Fayette  would  ar- 
rive at  that  city  on  Friday  afternoon  ;  but  such  was  the  immense 
number  of  persons  of  all  ranks,  who  came  to  congratulate  him 
at  whatever  place  it  was  expected  he  would  stop,  that  his  arrival 
was  delayed  until  Saturday  morning.  At  New  Rochelle,  where 
he  stopped  to  take  refreshments,  a  salute  of  19  guns  was  fired, 
and  a  great  crowd  of  citizens  had  collected  to  receive  him.  At 
White  Plains,  a  mast  was  erected  on  each  side  of  the  road,  bear- 
ing a  striped  pendant  suspended  between  them,  on  which  was 
written  La  Fayette.  Near  the  place  where  General  Putnam 
dashed  down  the  rocks,  an  elegant  arch  was  thrown  over  the 
road,  bearing  this  inscription  k: 

"  This  Arch, 
On  the  hill  rendered  memo- 
rable by  the  Brave  Putnam, 
is  erected  in  honour  of  the  illustrious 
Marquis  de  La  Fayette; 
The  early  and  distinguished  Champion  cf 
American  Liberty,  and  the  tried 
FRIEND  OF  WASHINGTON. 

When  the  General  arrived  at  the  line  of  Connecticut,  a  troop 


APPENDIX.  44' 


of  horse  was  ready  to  receive  and  escort  him,  and  the  citizens 
had  assembled  to  welcome  him  to  their  state. 

At  every  village,  salutes,  triumphal  arches,  or  addresses  were 
prepared  for  bim. 

Having  arrived  at  Bridgeport,  between  11  and  12  o'clock  on 
Friday  evening,  the  General  stopped  for  the  night.  At  an  early 
hour  on  Saturday  morning,  he  departed  for  New  Haven  amid 
the  discharge  of  artillery,  the  ringing  of  bells,  and  the  accum- 
ulation of  the  people. 

On  Saturday  morning  the  General  was  met  five  miles  from 
New  Haven,  by  a  company  of  horse  guards,  and  escorted  to  the 
city  where  he  arrived  at  10  o'clock.  On  arriving  at  the  inter- 
section of  George  and  Church  Streets,  he  was  received  with 
three  hearty  cheers  by  the  citizens,  which  were  re-echoed  and 
repeated  by  the  people  along  the  lines  to  Morse's  Hotel,  where 
the  General  and  his  suite  was  received  by  the  Mayor  and  other 
public  authorities. 

Afler  receiving  the  congratulations  of  a  great  number  of  citi- 
zens, some  of  whom  came  forty  miles  to  see  him,  visiting  the 
College,  breakfasting  with  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  aud  Common 
Council,  reviewing  the  troops  on  the  green,  and  calling  on  a 
number  of  the  distinguished  citizens,  the  General  took  his  de- 
parture by  the  way  of  East  Haven,  Saybrook  and  Lyme,  to 
New  London.  At  every  town  on  the  road  he  was  received  with 
some  new  mark  of  kindness  or  distinction.  Every  place  where 
he  was  expected  vied  with  that  he  had  last  left  in  the  bestowment 
of  some  varied  honours.  Having  reached  New  London,  it  being 
the  Sabbath,  he  attended  divine  service  at  two  different  places 
of  public  worship,  and  having  called  on  the  mother  and  family  of 
the  late  lamented  Commodore  Perry,  he  left  that  city  for  Provi- 
dence, where  he  arrived  on  Monday  the  23d  at  12  o'clock.  The 
Governor  of  Rhode  Island  nad  sent  his  aids  to  meet  him  at  the 
boundary  of  the  state,  and  escort  him  to  the  capital.  When  he 
arrived  within  the  limits  of  Providence,  he  found  the  whole  city 
had  come  forward  to  meet  and  Congratulate  him.  Having  mo- 
ved forward  amid  the  cheers  of  the  multitude,  with  which  the 
streets  were  crowded,  he  alighted  at  the  Court  House.  The 
avenue  leading  to  the  building  was  lined  with  female  youth, 
dressed  in  while,  holding  in  their  hands  branches  of  flowers, 
which  they  strewed  in  his  path,  at  the  same  time  waving  their 
white  handkerchiefs.  La  Fayette  appeared  much  gratified  and 
affected  by  this  simple  but  touching  arrangement.  In  the  senate 
chamber  he  was  received  by  the  Governour,  and  many  gentle- 
men of  distinction  were  introduced  to  him.  Among  others  were 
several  officers  who  had  served  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution, 
and  some  of  them  were  known  to  him.  These  he  embraced 
with  great  emotion.  One  of  them,  Capt.  Olney,  he  knew  in- 
stantly, though  be  was  among  the  crowd.  This  gentleman  had 
commanded  a  company  under  the  General,  at  the  siege  of  York- 
town,  and  was  the  first  to  force  the  redoubts  thrown  up  by  the 


•148  .  APPENDIX. 


British  troops,  and  which  were  taken  by  assault.     (See  the  pre* 
ceding- volume,  p.  175.) 

"  At  this  interview  so  affecting  and  interesting,  a  thrill  ran 
through  the  whole  assembly,  and  not  a  dry  eye  was  to  be  found 
among  the  throng  of  spectators;  while  the  shouts  of  the  multi 
tude,  at  first  suppressed,  and  then  uttered  in  a  manner  temper 
ed  by  the  scene,  evinced  the  deep  feeling  and  proud  associations 
it  had  excited."  Another  aged  veteran  was  introduced  to  the 
General,  who  had  passed  his  85th  year,  and  who  had  served  un- 
der him.  The  decrepit  old  gentleman  was  overjoyed  once  more 
to  behold  his  beloved  General  before  he  sunk  info  his  grave. 

La  Fayette,  to  fulfil  the  expectations  of  the  citizens  of  Boston. 
was  compelled  to  leave  Providence  on  the  afternoon  of  the  same 
day  on  which  he  arrived. 

At  Pautucket,  six  miles  from  Providence,  and  the  frontier  of 
Massachusetts,  he  was  met  by  the  aids  of  Governor  Eustis  o* 
that  state.  At  Dedham,  where  he  arrived  at  eleven  o'clock  at 
night,  he  found  the  village  handsomely  illuminated,  and  the  peo- 
ple anxious  for  his  approach.  Here  he  staid  a  short  time,  and 
was  introduced  to  many  of  the  inhabitants.  At  Roxbury,  his  ap- 
proach was  announced  by  the  discharge  of  artillery,  and  the  as- 
cent of  rockets. 

At  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  23d,  he  alighted  at  the 
residence  of  Govemour  Eustis  in  Boston. 

The  annunciation  of  his  arrival  at  the  seat  of  the  Governour, 
put  every  thing  in  activity,  for  the  prompt  execution  of  the  ar- 
rangements of  the  city  council  for  his  hearty  welcome.  The 
various  bodies  designated  to  compose  the  procession,  and  per- 
form the  honours  of  the  day,  assembled  at  an  early  hour  and  at 
the  time  appointed. 

The  General  was  met  at  the  Roxbury  line,  by  a  cavalcade 
consisting  of  the  City  authorities  in  carriages,  preceded  by  the 
Assistant  City  Marshal,  where  he  was  addressed  by  the  Hon. 
Mr.  Quincy,  Mayor  of  Boston,  as  follows  : 

"  Sir — The  Citizens  of  Boston  welcome  you  on  your  return 
to  the  United  States ;  mindful  of  your  early  zeal  in  the  cause 
of  American  Independence,  grateful  for  your  distinguished  share 
in  the  perils  and  glories  of  its  achievment. — When  urged  by  a 
generous  sympathy,  you  first  landed  on  these  shores,  you  found 
a  people  engaged  in  an  arduous  and  eventful  struggle  for  liberty 
with  apparently  inadequate  means,  and  amidst  dubious  omens. 
After  a  lapse  of  nearly  half  a  century,  you  find  the  same  people 
prosperous  beyond  all  hope  and  all  precedent ;  their  liberty  se- 
cure ;  sitting  in  its  strength  ;  without  fear  and  without  reproach. 
In  your  youth  you  joined  the  standard  of  three  millions  of 
people,  raised  in  an  unequal  and  uncertain  conflict.  In  your 
advanced  age  you  return  and  are  met  by  ten  millions  of  people, 
their  descendants,  whose  hearts  throng  hither  to  greet  your  ap 
proach  and  rejoice  in  it. 
This  is  mot  the  move'ment  of  a  turbulent  populace,  excited 


APPENDIX.  449 


by  the  fresh  laurels  of  some  recent  conqueror.     It  is  a  grave, 
moral,  intellectual  impulse. 

A  whole  people  in  the  enjoyment  of  freedom  as  perfect  as  the 
condition  of  our  nature  permits,  recur  with  gratitude,  increasing 
with  the  daily  increasing  sense  of  their  blessings,  to  the  mem- 
ory of  those,  who,  by  their  labors,  and  in  their  blood,  laid  the 
foundation  of  our  liberties. 

Your  name,  Sir,— the  name  of  La  Fayette,  is  associated 
with  the  most  perilous,  and  most  glorious  periods  of  our  Revo 
lution: — with  the  imperishable  names  of  Washington,  and  ot' 
that  numerous  host  of  heroes  which  adorn  the  proudest  archives 
of  American  history,  and  are  engraven  in  indellible  traces  on 
the  hearts  of  the  whole  American  people. 

Accept,  then,  Sir,  in  the  sincere  spirit  in  which  it  is  offered, 
this  simple  tribute  to  your  virtues. 

Again,  Sir,  the  citizens  of  Boston  bid  you  welcome  to  the 
cradle  of  American  Independence,  and  to  scenes  consecrated 
with  the  blood  shed  by  the  earliest  martyrs  in  its  cause." 

General  La  Fayette  then  rose  in  his  carriage,  and  made  the 
following  reply  : 

"  The  emotions  of  love  and  gratitude,  which  I  have  been  ac- 
customed to  feel  on  my  entering  this  city,  have  ever  mingled 
with  a  sense  of  religious  reverence  for  the  cradle  of  American, 
and  let  me  hope  it  will  hereafter  be  said,  of  Universal  Liberty. 
"  What  must  be,  Sir,  my  feelings,  at  the  blessed  moment, 
when,  after  so  long  an  absence,  I  find  myself  again  surrounded 
by  the  good  citizens  of  Boston — where!  am  so  affectionately, 
so  honorably  welcomed,  not  only  by  old  friends,  but  by  several 
successive  generations  ;  where  I  can  witness  the  prosperity,  the 
immense  improvements,  that  have  been  the  just  reward  of  a 
noble  struggle,  virtuous  morals  and  truly  republican  institutions.. 
I  beg  of  you,  Mr.  Mayor,  Gentlemen  of  the  City  Council, 
and  all  of  you,  beloved  citizens  of  Boston,  to  accept  the  res- 
pectfuland  warm  thanks  of  a  heart,  which  has,  for  nearly  half  a 
century,  been  particularly  devoted  to  your  illustrious  city." 

The  different  bodies  which  were  to  compose  the  procession 
having  arrived,  they  were  formed  in  the  following  order. 
Th.ee  Marshals. 
A  corps  of  Light  Dragoons,  commanded  by 

Capt.  Isaac  Davis. 

A  Regiment  of  Light  Infantry  composed  of 

The  Boston  Fusilleers,  Boston  Light  Infantry, 

Winslow  Blues,  Washington  Infantry, 

New  England  Guards,  Rangers,  and 

City  Guards,  commanded  by  Capt. 

John  S.  Tyler,  acting  as  Colonel ; 

Afull  band  of  music  consisting  of  thirty-two  performers. 

Chief  Marshal  Harris. 

Marshal  Broeks,  Marshal  Sargent. 

Members  of  the  city  council  in  carriage*. 

38* 


MO  APPENDIX. 


Committee  of  Arrangement  in  carriages. 

The  President  of  the  Common  Council  in  a  barouche. 

Marshal  Roulstone. 

Gen.  La  Fayette. 

In  a  barouche  drawn  by  four  white 

horses  accompanied  by  the  Mayor. 

G.  W.  La  Fayette, 

M.  Le  Vasseur  and 

Col.  Colden. 

Society  of  Cincinnati  in  ten  carriages, 

Strangers  of  distinction  in  carriages, 

Two  Marshals, 
Field  and  Staff  Officers  of  the  Militia, 
Two  Marshals. 
The  mounted  cavalcade,  composed  of  the  Carters,  Woodwharfm* 
gers  and  Citizens. 
Two  Marshals. 
In   this  order  the  procession  entered  the  city,   and  passed 
hrough  the  principal  streets. 

The  General,  and  City  authorities,  then  passed  through  the 
Common,  on  which  were  placed  the  pupils  of  the  Public  Schools, 
extending  its  whole  length.  The  misses  were  dressed  in  white, 
and  the  boys  in  blue  coats,  and  white  pantaloons.  All  of  them 
^ore  heads  of  La  Fayette  stamped  on  ribbon  as  badges.  The 
number  was  about  2500.  Meantime  the  bells  rang  and  salutes 
were  firing  in  every  direction. 

Having  visited  the  children,  the  General  moved  with  the  pro- 
fession to  the  State  House,  where  he  was  welcomed  by  his  Ex- 
cellency Governour  Eustis,  who  pronounced  a  pathetic  speech. 
:o  which  the  General  returned  a  dignified  and  appropriate  reply. 
Arches  were  thrown  across  some  of  the  principal  streets 
'i: rough  which  the  procession  passed.  There  were  two  acros? 
Washington  Street.  On  one  of  these  was  written  «'  1776 — 
Washington  and  La  Fayette. — Welcome  La  Fayette.— A 
Republic  not  ungrateful."  On  the  other  was  written  the  follow  • 
ng  lines. 

"  Welcome  La  Fayette." 
"  The  Fathers  in  glory  shall  sleep, 
Who  g^ther'd  with  thee  in  the  fight ; 
But  the  sons  will  eternally  keep, 
The  tablet  of  gratitude  bright. 
We  bow  not  the  neck, 
And  we  bend  not  the  knee, 
But  our  hearts  La  Fayette, 
We  surrender  to  thee." 

iJe  was  introduced  to  a  great  number  of  the  citizens,  among 
whom  were  many  who  knew  him.     Among  these  wa§  the  vener 
*bie  John  Brooks,  President  of  the  "Society  of  Cincinnati-,  auf 


APPENDIX.  451 


late  Governour  of  Massachusetts.  These  ancient  friends,  bad  a 
most  interesting-  and  affectionate  meeting.  Many  incidents 
during  this  scene  were  calculated  to  touch  the  feelings  of  all  who 
beheld  them,  and  some  of  them  moistened  the  eye  of  every  wit- 
ness. One  decrepit  veteran,  on  crutches,  was  recognized  by 
the  General  as  a  companion  in  arms,  at  the  memorable  assault 
at  Yorktown.  Others  were  recalled  to  remembrance  by  events 
at  Monmouth,  at  Brandywine,  at  West  Point,  &c.  The  hands 
of  all  these  he  seized  with  the  most  affectionate  cordiality,  fre- 
quently repeating, ;t  O,  my  brave  Light  Infantry,"  "  My  gallant 
soldiers"  &c.  One  inquired  "  Is  my  old  Colonel  Gimat  alive  (" 
"Alas  no,"  replied  the  General.  Another  introduced  himself 
as  one  of  the  only  two,  who  survived  of  the  2d  Regiment  of  Light 
Dragoons  of  the  army. 

On  Friday  the  Society  of  Cincinnati  waited  on  General  La 
Fayette,  -and  the  President  delivered  him  a  very  feeling  and  ap- 
propriate address,  and  received  from  the  General  a  reply  suited 
to  so  interesting  an  occasion. 

The  General  had  expressed  a  particular  desire  to  visit  Gam- 
bridge,  and  attend  its  commencement ;  and  at  the  appointed 
time  he  was  escorted  there  by  a  company  of  cavalry,  and  at- 
tended by  the  Governour  and  his  executive  council.  On  arri- 
ving at  the  College  he  was  addressed  in  a  very  appropriate  speech 
by  the  Reverend  and  learned  President  Kirtland.  To  this  he 
made  a  short,  but  complete  and  comprehensive  reply.  He  was 
then  seated  on  a  distinguished  place,  and  attended  the  ceremo- 
nies of  the  day.  In  their  literary  performances,  several  of  the 
young  gentlemen  of  the  college  alluded  to  the-  General,  and 
particularly  to  his  early  devotion  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  the 
part  he  had  taken  in  achieving  the  independence  of  America, 
lie  also  made  a  visit  to  Charlestown',  and  the  navy  yard,  where 
he  was  received  with  the  usual  honours  and  acclamations. 

On  Monday,  agreeably  to  arrangements,  a  grand  military  pa- 
rade took  place  in  honour  of  La  Fayette.  u  Monday  was  indeed 
a  proud  day  for  the  soldier-citizens  of  Bos!  on  and  vicinity.  The 
orders  of  the  commander  in  chief,  for  a  review  of  a  portion  of 
our  militia  in  honour  of  the  visit  of  the  surviving  Major  General 
of  the  revolutionary  army,  our  distinguished  guest,  were  exe- 
cuted with  promptness  and  uncommon  effect.  The  day  was 
fine.  At  an  early  hour,  a  superb  brigade,  composed  of  five  full 
regiments  of  infantry,  a  regiment  (six  companies)  of  artillery, 
and  the  Salem  independent  cadets,  commanded  by  Brigadier 
General  Appleton,  paraded  on  the  common.  Tents  and  mar- 
quees had  been  pitched  for  their  accommodation,  which  with  the 
'.'ommiasary's  tent  and  those  of  the  Suffolk  brigade,  and  the 
marquees  attached  to  the  head  quarters,  where  the  independent 
cadets,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Col.  Amory  did  guard  duty,  ex- 
hibited an  extensive  encampment.  At  the  time  the  Boston 
brigade  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  Lyman,  and  composed  of 
three  full  regiments  of  infantry,  four  companies  of  artillery,  in- 


452  APPENDIX. 


eluding  the  Sea  Fencibles,  and  a  troop  of  dragoons  also  paraded 
and  formed  the  order  of  battle  at  8  o'clock. 

The  line  nearly  filled  the  borders  of  our  spacious  training 
field,  and  exhibited  a  martial  spectacle,  unequalled  in  extent, 
brilliancy  and  efficiency  by  any  one  within  our  recollection. 
The  corps  of  cavalry,  artillery,  and  flank  companies,  were  iu 
complete  and  superb  uniform  ;  and  in  the  whole  line  of  infantry, 
the  troops,  with  scarcely  an  exception  were  in  blue  coats,  with 
white  underclothes,  with  knapsacks  &c.  complete.  It  is  estima- 
ted that  the  military  force  exceeded  6500. 

Gen.  La  Fayette  on  foot,  was  escorted  by  the  Cadets  from  his 
residence,  to  the  State  House,  where  he  was  received  by  his  Ex- 
cellency the  commander  in  chief,  and  suite,  and  escorted  to  the 
Common. 

La  Fayette  was  received  with  loud  shouts  from  the  troops 
along  the  whole  line.  He  was  then  saluted  by  the  brigades  un- 
der Generals  Appleton  and  Lyman,  in  succession.  He  then  took 
a  position  in  front  of  head  quarters,  and  received  the  marching 
salute"  of  the  whole  division. 

Experienced  judges,  foreign  as  well  as  native,  did  justice  to 
the  discipline  and  steadiness  of  the  whole  movements.  The  line 
being  reformed,  the  troops  were  dismissed  for  refreshment,  which 
had  been  amply  provided  by  the  commiesar}7  general. 

A  spacious  and  well  ornamented  marquee  had  been  ordered  to 
be  erected  by  the  governor  on  the  rising  ground  of  the  common 
for  a  collation  to  be  given  the  officers  and  invited  guests. 

It  exceeded  any  thing  of  the  kind  ever  seen  here.  It  was  17G 
feet  long  by  66  wide,  containing  six  taoles  170  feet  long,  two 
plates  for  1600  guests.  The  collation  was  prepared  by  Mr. 
Bradstreet-  In  this  marquee  Gen.  La  Fayette,  attended  by  the 
Governour,  together  with  the  field  officers,  the  executive  council, 
the  officers  of  the  Cincinnati,  civil  and  judicial  officers,  foreign 
consuls,  officers  of  the  army  and  navy,  Governour  Miller  ;  the 
clergy,  the  city  authorities  and  strangers  of  distinction,  to  the 
number  of  1600  partook  of  a  sumptuous  entertainment. 

The  General  was  escorted  to  Charlestown  on  Friday.  Great 
preparations  had  been  made  by  the  citizens  for  this  visit.  The 
streets  through  which  he  was  to  pass  were  decorated  with  arch- 
es, evergreen  and  variegated  colours,  and  he  was  attended  by 
the  Governour  and  suite,  Governour  Brooks,  Boston  committee  of 
arrangements,  &c.  On  the  bridge,  and  at  the  line  dividing  the 
towns,  he  was  met  by  the  city  authorities  of  Charlestown,  and 
escorted  by  a  military  brigade  to  Bunker  Hill,  where  the  Chair- 
man of  the  Town  Committee,  in  a  very  feeling  and  impressive 
manner  delivered  an  address,  to  which  the  General  replied  in 
his  usual  affectionate  manner. 

Having  received  invitations  by  Committees  appointed  for  this 
purpose,  from  Portland,  Newport,  Haverhill,  Newburyport, 
Plymouth,  and  from  Bowdoin  College,  to  honor  each  of  these 
places  with  a  visit,  the  General  left  Boston,  on  Tuesday  morn- 


APPENDIX.  45:; 


mg  for  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire.  His  route  lay  through 
Chelsea,  Lynn,  Marblehead,  Salem,  Newburyport,  &c.  He 
was  escorted  to  the  northern  limit  of  the  city,  by  the  aids  of  the 
Governour,  and  Committee  of  the  city  council,  distinguished  cit 
izens,  &c.  The  Governours  aids  attended  him  to  the  borders  oi 
New  Hampshire. 

Having  received  the  congratulations  and  addresses  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  Chelsea  and  Lynn,  he  arrived  at  Marblehead  to  break 
fast.     Here  he  was  introduced  to  a  great  proportion  of  the  in- 
habitants and  among  them  several  veterans,  who  had  distinguish 
ed  themselves  by  their  naval  exploits  during  the  revolution. 

At  Salem,  his  reception  was  such  as  might  have  been  expect 
ed  from  so  populous,  wealthy  and  patriotic  a  town.  When  be 
arrived  within  its  limits,  he  was  met  by  the  authorities,  commit- 
tee of  arrangements,  &c.  and  as  he  approached,  an  escort  was 
formed,  among  which  was  200  sailors  dressed  in  blue  jackets  and 
white  trowsers,  with  badges  in  their  hats.  Arches  had  been 
prepared,  salutes  were  fired,  the  bells  rang  and  the  whole  pop 
ulation  assembled  to  do  him  honour. 

An  appropriate  address  was  delivered  him,  to  which  he  repli- 
ed in  his  usual  brief,  affectionate  and  satisfactory  manner. 

To  carry  La  Fayette  through  every  place  where  he  was  re 
ceived  by  escorts,  salutes  and  addresses,  would  be  to  the  reader, 
but  a  repetition  of  similar  scenes.  Wherever  he  went,  he  was 
received  with  the  same  glowing  enthusiasm.  The  small  towns 
vied  with  each  other  in  showing  their  gratitude,  by  erecting  tri- 
umphal arches,  firing  salutes  and  assembling  together.  While 
the  large  ones,  made  immense  and  costly  preparations  to  honour 
the  "Nation's  Guest."  With  these  attempts  the  General  ap- 
peared to  be  equally  pleased.  A  little  village  which  could  do 
no  more  than  give  him  a  gun,  and  a  hearty  cheer,  or  strew  his 
path  with  flowers,  or  erect  him  an  arch  of  evergreens,  had  hon- 
oured him  equally  with  the  great  city,  which  had  expended 
thousands  to  make  his  entry  imposing  and  magnificent,  and  from 
the  General  received  the  same  grateful  acknowledgments. 

From  Salem  La  Fayette  continued  his  journey  to  Portsmouth, 
New  Hampshire.  Here  a  cavalcade  two  miles  in  length,  met 
and  conducted  him  to  Franklin  Hall  amid  the  shouts  of  thou 
sands  who  had  assembled  to  congratulate  him.  Several  addres 
ses  were  delivered  to  him,  and  a  splendid  ball  was  given  in  the 
evening  in  honour  of  the  occasion.  He  left  Portsmouth  at  1 J 
o'clock,  on  Wednesday  night,  to  return  to  Boston.  From  Bos- 
ton he  passed  through  Lexington,  Concord,  and  Bolton,  to  Wor^ 
cester.  At  all  these  places  he  was  received  in  the  most  patriot- 
ic and  flattering  manner,  the  whole  country  ringing  with  salutes 
and  applauses.  At  Leicester  he  was  addressed  by  the  Reverend 
Clergyman  of  the  village,  from  a  platform  erected  for  the  pur- 
pose. 

Having  remained  at  Worcester  several  hours  and  received 
the  most  distinguished  marks  of  gratitude  and  honour  from  the 


454  APPENDIX. 


inhabitants  of  that  populous  and  wealthy  town,  La  Fayette  con 
tinuedhis  rapid  journey  towards  Hartford,  Connecticut. 

The  inhabitants  of  that  city  had  sent  a  deputation  to  Boston 
to  be  informed  when  his  arrival  might  be  expected,  and  had  pre- 
pared to  receive  him  on  Friday  evening.  But  his  entry  did  not 
take  place  until  Saturday  morning-.  He  was  received  at  the 
line  of  the  state  by  a  committee,  and  ten  miles  from  the  town, 
by  an  escort  of  the  GovernourV  horse  guards.  At  Ids  entrance 
into  the  city  a  large  body  of  infantry  and  artiller)  were  ready  to 
salute  him,  and  in  the  yard  of  the  State  House,  800  children  wear- 
ing badges  with  the  motto,  "  Nous  vous  airnons  La  Fayette,'1 
had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  the  General.  He  was  addressed 
by  the  Governour,  and  Mayor,  and  introduced  to  nearly  100  rev- 
olutionary veterans. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  he  took  the  steam  boat  for  New  York. 
He  landed  at  Middletown,  where  he  was  received  with  even 
mark  of  distinction,  which  gratitude,  patriotism,  and  enterprize 
could  bestow.  As  the  boat  passed  down  the  river,  every  village 
near  its  banks  were  ready,  either  to  fire  a  salute,  to  throw  up 
rockets,  give  him  cheers,  or  illuminate  their  houses,  and  some  of 
them  to  do  all.  At  Lyme,  which  the  boat  passed  at  midnight,  Ji 
great  number  of  the  inhabitants,  ladies  as  well  as  gentlemen 
were  waiting  in  anxious  expectation  of  his  arrival. 

The  General  reached  New  York  on  Sunday  the  5th  of  Sep- 
tember. On  the  two  or  three  following  days  he  visited  the 
schools  in  the  city,  dined  with  the  Cincinnati  Society,  and  with 
the  French  gentlemen,  in  the  evening  went  to  the  theatre,  &c 
Meantime  there  was  preparing  for  him  at  Castle  garden,  the 
most  magnificentyete,  that  probably  was  ever  seen  in  America 
The  extent  of  ground  occupied  for  this  purpose,  was  175  feet  in 
diameter,  and  of  a  circular  form.  A  floor  was  laid,  and  a  galle 
ry  encircled  the  whole.  An  awning  of  canvas,  supported  by 
pillars  75  feet  high,  composed  the  roof  of  this  vast  edifice,  and  it 
was  lighted  by  an  immense  and  splendid  cut  glass  chandelier, 
with  thirteen  smaller  ones  appended.  Six  thousand  persons  at- 
tended tkis  ball,  and  eighty  sets  of  cotillions  were  frequently  on 
the  floor  at  the  same  time. 

At  10  o'clock  the  General  made  his  appearance  and  at  half 
past  one,  he  took  his  departure  in  the  steam  boat  for  Albany. 

At  New  burgh  where  he  landed  for  a  short  time,  20,000  peoplt 
had  assembled  to  greet  him.  AtCatskill,  and  Hudson,  he  was 
received  with  every  mark  of  distinction  and  joy. 

Great  preparations  had  been  made  for  his  reception  at  Albany. 
The  military  met  and  escorted  him  to  town.  The  city  was  illu- 
minated He  was  welcomed  and  cheered  by  40,000  people.  \ 
splendid  ball  was  given  in  his  honour,  which  he  attended.  On 
the  following  day,  a  great  number  of  the  inhabitants  had  the  sat 
isfaction  of  being  introduced  to  him. 

Having  visited  Troy  and  the  grand  canal,  he  returned  to  New 


APPENDIX.  455 


York,  which  place  he  left  again  on  the  23d  of  September,  for 
i^hiladelpbia. 

He  passed  through  New  Brunswick,  Princeton,  Trenton,  &c. 
and  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  repeat  that  at  all  these  places,  the 
people  did  not  fail  to  show  him  the  same  enthusiastic  marks  of 
gratitude  and  distinction  which  he  had  so  often  witnessed  at  the 
north. 

TheGovernour  of  Pennsylvania  and  suite,  met  him  thirty  miles 
from  the  capital,  with  an  escort  and  a  splendid  barouche  drawn 
by  six  cream  coloured  horses  for  his  accommodation.  On  his 
approach  to  Philadelphia,  he  was  saluted  with  100  rounds  of  ar- 
tillery. Nearly  6000  troops  were  drawn  up  to  pay  him  military 
honours.  An  immense  procession  was  formed,  which  consumed 
six  hours  in  passing  from  Frankfort  to  the  State  House.  Only  a 
small  number  of  the  different  bodies  which  composed  this  pro- 
cession can  be  enumerated.  Three  cars  of  dimensions  sufficient 
to  contain  120  revolutionary  veterans.  Then  400  young  men. 
A  car  containing  a  printing  press,  where  the  workmen  struck 
offand  distributed  an  ode,  on  the  occasion.  Then  300  weavers ; 
150  ropemakers  ;  100  shipbuilders;  700  mechanics,  professions 
not  enumerated;  150  coopers;  150  butchers  mounted;  260 
carmen  mounted  ;  300  farmers,  &c.  &c. 

The  General  alighted  at  the  old  State  House,  and  entered  the 
Hall  where  the  declaration  of  Independence  was  signed.  This 
Hall  contains  the  Statue  of  Washington,  the  portraits  of  Penn. 
FrankVin,  Morris,  Hopkinson,  Greene,  Wayne,  Montgomery, 
Hamilton,  Gates,  Hancock,  Adams,  Rochambeau,  Carrol, 
iM'Kean,  Jefferson,  Charles  Thompson,  Madison,  and  Monroe. 

Gen.  La  Fayette  was  addressed  by  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  by 
the  Frenchmen  residing  there,  &c.  Having  spent  several  days 
in  Philadelphia,  the  General  proceeded  south  towards  Baltimore, 
where  he  arrived  on  the  7th  of  October.  No  city  through  which 
he  bad  passed  gave  him  a  more  splendid  and  cordial  reception 
than  this.  As  usual  the  military  were  called  out.  Processions 
were  formed,  the  city  illuminated,  a  splendid  ball  given,  a  gold 
medal  presented  by  the  young  gentlemen,  &c. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  follow  the  "  Nation's  Guest"  further. 
With  the  same  marks  of  affection,  and  joyous  enthusiasm  he 
was  received  at  Washington,  Georgetown,  Yorktown,  &e. 


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